Billy Idol elected to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Punk pioneer and rock icon Billy Idol has been elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday. Idol will be inducted alongside his longtime guitarist and musical collaborator, Steve Stevens.
The announcement was made during a performance on “American Idol,” where Idol and Stevens performed their hit “Rebel Yell” with judge Carrie Underwood. The Class of 2026 also includes Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
“To be inducted alongside my longtime compatriot Steve Stevens makes this all even more special,” Idol said in a statement. “When I first started playing with Generation X 50 years ago, it was purely out of love for the music. Nobody, especially me, thought it would take me to where I am today.”
The induction ceremony is scheduled to be taped on Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will air on ABC and Disney+ in December. The ceremony will move back to Cleveland in 2027.
The honor follows a prolific year for the 70-year-old singer. His first studio album in a decade, “Dream Into It,” reached No. 7 on the U.S. Top Albums Chart and features collaborations with Stevens, Avril Lavigne, and Joan Jett. Additionally, a feature-length documentary titled “Billy Idol Should Be Dead,” directed by Jonas Åkerlund, is currently streaming on Hulu.
Stevens, who has worked with Idol for more than four decades, added, “If there’s anyone that deserves to be in the HOF, it’s Billy. We have shared a remarkable journey full of music, creativity, and unforgettable experiences.”
Idol is scheduled to return to the road this summer for the “It’s A Nice Day To…Tour Again!” world tour, which kicks off Aug. 7 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The run includes a week-long residency at Las Vegas’ Fontainebleau from Aug. 28 through Sept. 5.
Tickets for the induction ceremony will be announced at a later date, with exclusive opportunities available for Rock Hall members who join by June 30. Additional information is available at rockhall.com.
