While the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction nominees were announced last week in the performer category, Nancy Wilson of Heart is now making a case to get radio icon Howard Stern inducted as well.
In an Instagram video that was posted after the nominees were first revealed, Wilson, who is seen proudly wearing a Stern shirt, spoke directly to the Rock Hall about considering him for this year’s class of inductees.
“While Howard is not on this list [performer nominees], I am a big fan of Howard Stern as you can see,” Wilson said. “There’s another list coming up that would include him in a special category that they’re voting for still. So I suggest that you all talk about putting him on the special list for this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Howard Stern. Let’s go!”
You can watch her message below:
During his SiriusXM show on Monday, Stern said he was “quite honored” by Wilson’s comments.
“So thank you, Nancy Wilson. I was very flattered,” he said. “To me, it doesn’t matter if I win or not. The fact that someone as hot as Nancy Wilson, who is that great a guitarist, would even know my name is what really matters to me.”
Wilson was inducted into the Rock Hall as a member of Heart with the class of 2013.
ROCK HALL INDUCTION CATEGORIES
So how could Stern be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even though he wasn’t among the 2026 nominees? Well, the Rock Hall has additional categories in which somebody can be selected for induction.
If he were to ever be inducted, Stern would fall under the Ahmet Ertegun Award category, which “includes non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock ‘n’ roll and music that has impacted youth culture.”
The other induction categories include:
Musical Influence Award: This category includes artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired and evolved rock ‘n’ roll and music impacting youth culture.
Musical Excellence Award: This category includes artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
And if he’s ever inducted himself?
“I would be fun because my acceptance speech would be funny,” Stern said. “I would at least make it funny. I think it would be good for the television broadcast.”
Stern participated in the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland as he had the honor of inducting Bon Jovi.
2026 INDUCTION NOMINEES
This year’s list of performers features 17 nominees — including 10 who have landed on the ballot for the first time. They include:
Jeff Buckley (first-time nominee)
Phil Collins (first-time nominee as a solo artist, previously inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010)
Melissa Etheridge (first-time nominee)
Lauryn Hill (first-time nominee)
INXS (first-time nominee)
New Edition (first-time nominee)
P!NK (first-time nominee)
Shakira (first-time nominee)
Luther Vandross (first-time nominee)
Wu-Tang Clan (first-time nominee)
Those selected for induction with the class of 2026 — including those in the additional categories — will be announced in April. That’s also when the induction ceremony date and location will be revealed.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
