IRON MAIDEN Nominated For The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2026 nominees – and hard rock and metal fans have plenty to debate.

Among the 17 artists on this year’s “Performer” ballot are British metal titans Iron Maiden and Southern rock revivalists The Black Crowes, alongside a genre-spanning slate that stretches from hip-hop to pop royalty. The full 2026 nominee list is:

• 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
• Pink
• Sade
• Shakira
• Luther Vandross
• Wu-Tang Clan

Ten of the nominees appear on the ballot for the first time, including Phil Collins, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Pink, Shakira and Wu-Tang Clan.

“This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of rock and roll and its continued impact on youth culture,” said chairman John Sykes in a statement.

Iron Maiden have been eligible since 2004 but have only previously appeared on the ballot twice – in 2021 and 2023. Both times, they were passed over.

If inducted, the Hall has previously indicated that the honorees would include current members Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers, as well as former members Dennis Stratton, Paul Di’Anno, Nicko McBrain and Clive Burr.

Despite selling over 100 million records and becoming one of heavy metal’s most influential exports, Maiden – alongside peers like Motörhead – have yet to secure induction. Meanwhile, Guns N’ Roses were inducted in their first year of eligibility.

Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. This year’s nominees will be voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals.

The official 2026 inductees – along with recipients of the “Musical Influence,” “Musical Excellence,” and “Ahmet Ertegun Award” honors – will be announced in April.