Rock Hall 2026: Meet the Bassists Behind This Year’s Inductees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 Inductees, including artists from rock, metal, R&B, pop, and hip-hop. For some performers, it’s been a long time coming, and today we’re spotlighting the bassists joining the ranks of Hall.

In the Performer category, the class includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan. The Early Influence Award will honor Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons. The Musical Excellence Award, which celebrates producers and songwriters, will be given to Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin. Finally, Ed Sullivan will be remembered with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

With that impressive list comes an equally monumental roster of bassists. Let’s break down the low-enders joining the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Steve Harris – Iron Maiden

Artists are only eligible for nomination into the Rock Hall 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. That means Iron Maiden has been eligible for over 20 years, which has seemed like a travesty to some fans. In a statement, the band gave their thanks.

“We’d like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees,” they wrote on Facebook. “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!”

The band has reshaped the sound of rock and metal, while bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris has reshaped the sound of bass. His galloping rhythms and snarling attack have inspired generations of bassists.

Iron Maiden’s induction adds to their victory lap of a year. The group is continuing their 50th anniversary celebration with the Run For Your Lives World Tour, and they also have a new documentary, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition, releasing on May 7th.

Watch Harris tear it up in this 2019 clip of “Run To The Hills”:

Paul Denman – Sade

Although often mistaken for being a solo act, Sade is a band named after lead singer Sade Adu. Its lineup has stayed relatively unchanged since they formed in 1982 with keyboardist Andrew Hale, saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, and bassist Paul Denman.

“As the musical landscape around them changed, Sade’s music has endured – their songs of love, life, and loss resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level,” the Rock Hall states. “Sade’s six studio albums have sold over fifty million copies, earned countless critical accolades, and built an extremely loyal fanbase.”

Denman’s silky bass lines are a core part Sade’s instantly recognizable sounds. His work on “Smooth Operator” is at once funky, melodic, and elegant.

Peter Hook – Joy Division/New Order

Peter Hook‘s high, melodic style on the bass drove the post-punk, dance-floor-ready grooves of Joy Division and New Order. Whether armed with a traditional four-string or his Shergold Marathon 6, he found the just the right notes and rhythms to move people.

Hook founded Joy Division in 1976 with drummer Stephen Morris, guitarist Bernard Sumner, and vocalist Ian Curtis. They spearheaded the Manchester music scene with songs like “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “She’s Lost Control.” Tragically, Ian Curtis took his own life in 1980. The remaining members continued on as New Order, a band that more embraced synth-pop sounds. Their song “Blue Monday” remains the best-selling 12-inch single of all time, the Hall explains.

Watch Hook’s unique approach in this live clip of “She’s Lost Control”:

Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan and Andy Bell – Oasis

Oasis burst onto the music scene in the 1990s, quickly moving from the UK rock clubs to arenas around the world. Their larger-than-life personas and hook-filled writing style were matched by their electric live performances.

“Their songs have become England’s go-to anthems, sung in unison by fans at sporting events and social gatherings and inspiring countless bands including the Killers and Arctic Monkeys,” the Rock Hall states in their bio of Oasis.

At the center of Oasis is the brotherly duo of Liam and Noel Gallagher, whose dynamic relationship has made as much press as the band itself. The lineup has included two bassists.

Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan co-founded the band with the Gallaghers and featured on the debut album Definitely Maybe as well as the breakthrough (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? and Be Here Now. He can be heard on classic tracks like “Morning Glory,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and “Champagne Supernova.” McGuigan left the fold in 1999 during the making of Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, at which point Bell joined. He has been with the group during their starts and stops, including last year’s record-breaking reunion tour.

Watch this fan-shot video of Bell with Oasis during a Heaton Park concert from July 2025:

The RRHOF 2026 class of inductees is a reminder of how many ways the bass can shape a band’s identity. From Steve Harris’s thunderous approach to Paul Denman’s sleek grooves, these bassists have influenced the instrument and, more importantly, music at large. Each has earned a well-deserved spot in one of music’s most revered establishments.

The 2026 Induction Ceremony is set for Saturday, November 14, in Los Angeles, California, and will debut on ABC and Disney+ in December.