Joy Division/New Order have been nominated for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026. They were nominated along with 16 other musical acts, including the Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, New Edition, Oasis, Sade, Shakira, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
Joy Division and New Order are iconic bands that pioneered their genres. They are nominated together as one since New Order is considered a natural evolution of Joy Division that occurred after lead singer Ian Curtis died in 1980. A Hall of Fame nomination for Joy Division/New Order is not a new concept, as the bands have been nominated two other times, in 2023 and 2025.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is set to announce the Class of 2026 inductees in April, and the induction ceremony will be held later this year.
Why Joy Division/New Order deserves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
A spot in the Hall of Fame feels almost overdue for both Joy Division and New Order. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame criteria for eligibility require that a band must have released their first album at least 25 years before the year of induction.
Joy Division and New Order released their first albums 47 years ago and 45 years ago, respectively. They’ve both almost doubled the required years and are important to the history of alternative music of the '70s and '80s.
Joy Division/New Order were important trend-setting bands of their time. Unknown Pleasures is one of the most popular post-punk albums ever released, with a just as iconic album cover. While Joy Division cemented their place as a pivotal leader of the post-punk sound, New Order led the way for the rising new wave fusion sound of the '80s.
Their influences went on to become synonymous with their time. To this day, when you think of post-punk, you think of Joy Division. And when you think of synthy new wave, New Order is at the top of the list. Joy Division and New Order are iconic bands that set a path for other iconic bands, such as the Killers, who cite New Order as their style inspiration.
New Order is still an extremely popular and active band. They consistently put out new music for the first 34 years of their career, with a discography that includes ten albums, with at least one in each decade since their start. Additionally, they have an extensive tour history with consistent touring from the '80s to today.
Their two previous nominations in years past prove that Joy Division/New Order are important to Rock history. They are top-of-mind bands that have shaped their genres, evolved graciously, and are still active today.
If any bands deserve to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it is absolutely Joy Division and New Order.