U2 Opens 2026 Rock Hall Ceremony With 2 Songs as Aerosmith, Run-DMC Close With 'Walk This Way'
Updated
Updated · Billboard · Nov 15
U2 Opens 2026 Rock Hall Ceremony With 2 Songs as Aerosmith, Run-DMC Close With 'Walk This Way'
3 articles · Updated · Billboard · Nov 15
Summary
U2 unexpectedly opened the Nov. 14 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in Los Angeles with a two-song set, debuting “Silencio” a day after releasing new album “Carnaval De Luz” before closing with “Pride.”
The ceremony then leaned into tribute performances for the Class of 2026, including Usher honoring Luther Vandross, Cynthia Erivo and Travis Barker saluting Phil Collins, and Peter Hook leading a Joy Division/New Order celebration.
Wu-Tang Clan brought all nine living members to the stage for a medley featuring “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” while Queen Latifah and MC Lyte performed together after both were inducted as hip-hop pioneers.
Several major honorees were absent — including Sade, Oasis and Iron Maiden — but stand-in performances filled the gaps, with Stephen Wilson Jr. covering “Wonderwall” and a metal supergroup tackling Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper.”
Aerosmith and Run-DMC capped the night with 1986 top-five hit “Walk This Way,” underscoring the show’s broader theme: honoring artists credited with reshaping music across genres.