The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced 17 performer nominees for 2026 induction with 10 artists appearing on the ballot for the first time. New York artists Luther Vandross, Jeff Buckley and Wu-Tang Clan make up the list of Empire State nominees.
Harlem-born R&B legend Luther Vandross got his start at the Apollo Theater, launching his career through the venue’s legendary Amateur Night before becoming an in-demand backing vocalist, songwriter and arranger in the early 1970s.
He notably collaborated with David Bowie on Young Americans, co-writing “Fascination” based on a Vandross original. His 1981 debut album Never Too Much showcased his formula for superstardom, balancing originals with definitive reinterpretations.
From 1981 to 1996, Vandross amassed 11 consecutive platinum albums and 26 Top Ten R&B singles. He crossed over to pop charts with “Here and Now,” worked as a producer for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Diana Ross, and continued polishing his skills as an interpreter with tracks including “Superstar” and “Endless Love.”
His 2003 album Dance With My Father debuted at Number One, earning Song of the Year for the autobiographical title track. Vandross passed away in 2005 at age 54, with a GRAMMY-winning tribute album released that same year featuring Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys.
This year, Kendrick Lamar’s Number One hit “luther,” which sampled Vandross’ “If This World Were Mine,” earned the GRAMMY for Record of the Year.
Jeff Buckley, though born in California, emerged from New York City’s East Village music scene in the early 1990s as one of the most remarkable musical artists of his generation. He moved to NYC in 1990 and made his public singing debut at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn on April 26, 1991, at a tribute concert for his father, folk singer Tim Buckley. Buckley built a following performing at Sin-é, a tiny Irish café in the East Village where he earned a regular Monday night slot starting in April 1992.
His first commercial recording, the four-song EP Live At Sin-é, was released in December 1993 on Columbia Records, capturing Buckley accompanying himself on electric guitar in the coffeehouse he’d made his home.
His only studio album Grace, released Aug. 23, 1994, included his acclaimed cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2013.
Wu-Tang Clan, hailing from Staten Island, fundamentally redefined what a hip-hop group could be. The collective formed as a musical brotherhood featuring RZA, GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna.
Their 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) featured raw, lo-fi production built on cut-up techniques, with RZA’s minimalist tracks created from samples of soul music and kung-fu films to create a world that felt dangerous, underground and mythic.
The complete list of 2026 nominees includes The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New Edition, Oasis, P!NK, Sade, Shakira, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
Artists or bands become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. Nominee ballots will be distributed to an international voting panel composed of over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. Selection criteria include an artist’s impact on music culture, influence on other musicians, and the scope and longevity of their career and body of work.
The 2026 performer inductees will be revealed in April, along with inductees entering under three special committee categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non Performer Award. The induction ceremony will take place in fall, with exact dates and ticket sale details to follow.
2026 also marks Mariah Carey’s third consecutive year nominated for induction, Iron Maiden’s third nomination, Joy Division/New Order’s third nomination and Oasis’ third nomination. It’s the second nomination for The Black Crowes and Billy Idol.
For more information on the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, visit rockhall.com.
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