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New Edition\u2019s<\/a> long-awaited push toward the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hit an unexpected roadblock. Despite finishing first in the Hall\u2019s fan vote with more than 1 million votes, the legendary R&B group was left out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame\u2019s Class of 2026.<\/a><\/p>\n According to WKYC<\/a>, the Boston-based R&B group earned 1,022,683 fan votes\u2014more than any other nominee by a wide margin\u2014but that support was not enough to secure induction. The Hall\u2019s fan ballot is counted as a single vote and is weighed alongside more than 1,200 ballots submitted by artists, historians, and music industry professionals.<\/p>\n New Edition had spent much of the year celebrating what seemed like a breakthrough moment. Earlier this spring, Bobby Brown called the nomination \u201ca great thing,\u201d saying, \u201cJust knowing that our prayers are being answered and everything is going in the direction that we had hoped for.\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n Ronnie DeVoe said the group received word of the nomination via a text from management just days after performing in Cleveland and passing by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum.<\/p>\n At the time, DeVoe described the nomination as confirmation after decades in the business. \u201cIt was just fitting,\u201d he said. \u201cWe know that there\u2019s still work that has to be done.\u201d That prediction proved accurate as the final class was revealed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Among the artists who did make it into the performer category were several acts closely tied to Black music and culture, including Luther Vandross, Wu-Tang Clan, and Sade. <\/p>\n The rest of the Class of 2026 includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, and Joy Division\/New Order.<\/p>\n New Edition just wrapped \u201cThe New Edition Way\u201d tour with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton<\/a>, while Johnny Gill recently scored a No. 1 hit on Billboard\u2019s Adult R&B Airplay chart with \u201cOne Night.\u201d The song became Gill\u2019s fourth chart-topper on that format.<\/a><\/p>\n