Meanwhile, the Early Influence Award will be presented to Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Gram Parsons. The Musical Excellence Award will go to songwriter Linda Creed, producers Arif Mardin and Jimmy Miller, as well as Rick Rubin. In addition, Ed Sullivan will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“Induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is music’s highest honor,” John Sykes, chairman of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year’s ceremony — it’s going to be an unforgettable night.”

The ceremony is scheduled for November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast on ABC and Disney+ the following month. Notably, Iron Maiden will be in the midst of their Australian tour at that time, with a show scheduled for November 13 in Melbourne and another on November 15 in Sydney.

IRON MAIDEN manager Rod Smallwood said in a statement: “We’d like to thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees. “IRON MAIDEN have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognized and honored for any achievements within the music industry too! It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year as we continue our 50th-anniversary celebrations with our ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour visiting the Americas and beyond. We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now! See you all, somewhere on tour”.

The MAIDEN musicians being inducted are singer Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers, along with former guitarist Dennis Stratton, former singers Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley, and former drummer Clive Burr.

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Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy was inducted as a solo artist, making it the second time the institution honored him, following his 2006 induction as a member of BLACK SABBATH.

Osbourne was inducted into the Rock Hall by actor and TENACIOUS D frontman Jack Black, who hailed him as “the greatest frontman in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.” Black also reflected on the impact of the cover of Ozzy’s debut solo album, “Blizzard Of Ozz”, calling it “the most metal thing I had ever seen,” despite not yet knowing what metal was. He then explored Ozzy’s earlier work with BLACK SABBATH, exclaiming, “unholy shit, this guy invented heavy metal… the darkest, heaviest stuff the world had ever heard.

After Black’s induction speech, Osbourne accepted the award while seated on a throne. He told the crowd: “Well, here we are. You know what? I can’t believe I’m here myself. Let me get the thank yous out of the way, because I’m not going to bore you with a long, drawn-out fucking monologue. I’d like to thank whoever voted me into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for my solo work. A great thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. My fans have been so loyal to me over the years, I cannot thank them enough. I’ve been fortunate over the years to play with some of the world’s greatest guitar players, drummers, bass players, and a few of them are here tonight. But I’ve got to say one thing for a guy by the name of Randy Rhoads. If I’d hadn’t have met Randy Rhoads, I don’t think I’d be sitting here now. And moreso more than that, my wife Sharon. Saved my life. And my grandbabies and my babies. I love them all.  So with all that, I’m gonna get on with the show and hand it back to Jack”.

An all-star performance followed the induction, featuring a backing band that included RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, METALLICA and former Ozzy bassist Robert Trujillo, producer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Watt, and keyboardist Adam Wakeman. TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan and Wolfgang Van Halen joined them for the opening song, “Crazy Train”. Next, Zakk Wylde and country star Jelly Roll took the stage for “Mama I’m Coming Home”, while Billy Idol stepped in for vocals on the final song, “No More Tears”, accompanied by his longtime guitarist, Steve Stevens.

photo by Chris Pizzello

Foreigner

Original vocalist Lou Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood, and bassist Rick Wills were in attendance to accept the award, while Mick Jones and Dennis Elliott were absent from the ceremony. Mick Jones’s daughter, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, was present to assist in accepting the honor. Former band members Ian McDonald and Ed Gagliardi passed away in 2022 and 2014, respectively.

Sammy Hagar had the honor of inducting FOREIGNER into the Rock Hall, expressing his sadness over Mick Jones’ absence by saying, “I’m really sad [Jones] isn’t here tonight. Mick, we love and miss you, and congratulations”. Hagar also praised FOREIGNER’s iconic track “Jukebox Hero,” calling it “one of the greatest rock vocal performances ever”.

In his acceptance speech, Gramm said: “First, I’d like to thank all of my former bandmates: Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott, Ed Gagliardi and Rick Wills for 30-plus years of great music and a wild ride. Now, right from the start, Mick and I hit it off in our first songwriting session. The chemistry for many of our biggest hits was the Jones-Gramm collaboration. Although the band went through some changes as time went on, I believe the original band encompassed what FOREIGNER was all about. As I think back about those times, I’m convinced that Ian McDonald and Ed Gagliardi, who have passed on to a better place, were pivotal players and personalities in FOREIGNER’s early success. Lastly, I’d like to close by thanking my friend and songwriting partner Mick Jones. Along with the many triumphs and accolades, we didn’t always agree about FOREIGNER’s musical directions, but all told we were very fortunate to have been in FOREIGNER together, and our music continues to stand the test of time”.

Wills said: “I love these guys and I love the guys who are doing what we did — and they’re still doing it today, 47 years later. It’s amazing. So, I want to thank you all, and thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for giving us this opportunity to finally be Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame people. Thank you!”

Greenwood added: “Wow, and a very, very special thanks to Mick Jones, the founder, the visionary and the creative force behind FOREIGNER. We wish that you were here with us tonight. And to all of our fans who have been with us for 47 years, spanning generations: We love you all and we thank you”.

The night also featured an all-star performance of FOREIGNER’s music, including Sammy Hagar, Slash, Chad Smith, Demi Lovato, and Kelly Clarkson. Lovato, Slash, Smith, and FOREIGNER’s current touring band delivered “Feels Like The First Time”, with Lovato on lead vocals. Hagar joined the group for “Hot Blooded”, sharing vocal duties with current FOREIGNER frontman Kelly Hansen. Later, Kelly Clarkson and Lou Gramm teamed up for a duet of the classic “I Want To Know What Love Is”.

photo by Dia Dipasupil

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