1 hour ago - Music

From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list

Troy Smith

Triptych of performers on stage: left a bearded man in a black shirt with braids; center a smiling woman with long brown hair in a black blazer; right a guitarist in hat, glasses, scarf, and guitar. — Drake, Drew Barrymore and Johnny Depp make our Rock Hall dream guest list. Photos: Prince Williams; Kevin Mazur; Taylor Hill via Getty Images

One of the best parts of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony is watching celebrities turn into fanboys and girls for their favorite music artists.

The intrigue: The Rock Hall is usually tight-lipped about the list of special guests, but we couldn't resist making our picks for who might show up for the class of 2026 on Nov. 14 in L.A.

There are A LOT of inductees this year, so we're only picking presenters for the honorees in the "Performer" category.

Phil Collins

Our pick: Sting

Collins has a long list of legendary friends to choose from.

Sting would be perfect as a presenter and stand-in performer for Collins, who retired from performing live in 2022.

Billy Idol

Our pick: Drew Barrymore

Barrymore had fun inducting The Go-Go's in 2021 and could do the honor again for Idol, who made a cameo in 1998's "The Wedding Singer."

Iron Maiden

Our pick: Lars Ulrich

The Metallica drummer is no stranger to Rock Hall speeches and has long cited Iron Maiden as a major influence.

Joy Division/New Order

Our pick: Brandon Flowers

The Killers frontman would likely jump at the opportunity, considering his group takes its name from a fictional band featured in a New Order music video.

Oasis

Our pick: Johnny Depp

If Julia Roberts can induct Dave Matthews Band, Johnny Depp can step up for the Gallagher Brothers, with whom he's been friends since their 1990s heyday.

Sade

Our pick: Drake

Someone like John Legend or Alicia Keys feels more likely, but the Rock Hall should call Drake, who has three new albums to promote and a Sade tattoo.

Luther Vandross

Our pick: Dionne Warwick

The late Vandross considered Warwick one of his greatest influences and the two became lifelong friends.

Wu-Tang Clan

Our pick: Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista

The Rock Hall audience deserves to enjoy the bromance between Momoa and Bautista, both of whom are Wu-Tang stans.

Add Axios on Google