The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame today announced a new season of its acclaimed podcast Music Makes Us, bringing listeners everywhere must-hear conversations with revolutionary artists. Hosted by legendary musician Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, the show is made in partnership with two Peabody Award-honored indie podcast networks, Radiotopia from PRX and Talkhouse.
The new season of Music Makes Us debuts August 25 with Hanna in conversation with 2013 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Ann Wilson, frontwoman of the trailblazing rock band Heart. The podcast is available free across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, iHeart, and NPR One. An audio trailer for the season is available now.
New episodes of Music Makes Us will be released every other Tuesday. Delivering audiences a backstage pass to unfiltered, entertaining, and engaging artist conversations, episodes will feature the following, among others:
- Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney and Liz Phair, who helped define the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s and are co-headling a national tour this fall
- Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees who helped chart a new path for rock and new wave
- Sheila E., one of the most influential percussionists in modern music who was also the first female solo percussionist honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Brittany Howard, the multi-Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and guitarist of rock powerhouse Alabama Shakes
- Tegan & Sara, the path-breaking duo and twin sisters who’ve performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Glastonbury
Music Makes Us first launched in November 2025, bridging artists of today with legends who’ve come before, ultimately celebrating the music connecting us all. Episodes have featured Oliva Rodrigo discussing on-stage mantras, Hayley Williams on communing with the dead through punk music, Towa Bird, Shirley Manson, Amyl and the Sniffers, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees including Joan Jett, Chaka Khan, and Nancy Wilson.
About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony. We intentionally foster an inclusive and welcoming non-profit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Join the millions who love rock & roll as much as you do. Visit us in Cleveland, Ohio or at rockhall.com and follow us @rockhall on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X, or @rockandrollhalloffame on Facebook.
About Kathleen Hanna
Kathleen Hanna is a punk singer, writer, artist, and the front-woman of the influential bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. Her memoir Rebel Girl was an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. Hanna is a staple in feminist publications, from college curriculums to bestselling books, and a leading voice in the feminist movement. She has been named one of the best live performers of our time.
About Radiotopia from PRX
Created in 2014, Radiotopia from PRX is the first network of its kind. As a network of independent podcasts, Radiotopia empowers audio creators with the artistic freedom to thrive on their own terms and to bring audiences inspired, high-quality, and well-crafted soundscapes. Programming from across Radiotopia has received recognition from the Peabody Awards, the duPont-Columbia Awards, the Tribeca Festival, the National Magazine Awards, and the Pulitzer Prizes. Immerse yourself in stories and conversations of all kinds — intellectual and emotional, real and imagined, entertaining and thought-provoking. Be part of a community that values bold authenticity and boundless creativity. Discover award-winning audio with vision at Radiotopia.fm.
About Talkhouse
Talkhouse is a Webby-Award-winning first-person media company, podcast network, and outlet for musicians, actors, filmmakers, and others in their respective fields. Talkhouse’s podcast series include Subway Takes, How Long Gone, Blank Check, Alison Roman’s Solicited Advice, Life of the Record, Craig Finn’s That’s How I Remember It, Santigold’s Noble Champions, and Björk: Sonic Symbolism, which GQ praises as “a road map to the creative life,” delivering what The New Yorker calls “a rare chance to listen in as one of the most mysterious and mystical artists working today explains herself. Björk’s Cornucopia represents Talkhouse’s first foray into producing TV/film. Other projects are currently in development and production.
The 2026 Induction Ceremony is set for Saturday, November 14, in Los Angeles, California, and will debut on ABC and Disney+ in December
Tonight, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its 2026 Inductees, spotlighting a standout group of artists whose impact has left a lasting mark on music and culture. Revealed live on ABC and Disney+ by Ryan Seacrest and 2022 Inductee Lionel Richie during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-themed episode of American Idol, the announcement kicks off the countdown to celebrate music’s highest honor.
Performer Category:
- Phil Collins
- Billy Idol
- Iron Maiden
- Joy Division/New Order
- Oasis
- Sade
- Luther Vandross
- Wu-Tang Clan
Early Influence Award:
- Celia Cruz
- Fela Kuti
- Queen Latifah
- MC Lyte
- Gram Parsons
Musical Excellence Award:
- Linda Creed
- Arif Mardin
- Jimmy Miller
- Rick Rubin
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
- Ed Sullivan
“Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor. We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year’s ceremony – it’s going to be an unforgettable night”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
To be eligible for induction, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Phil Collins, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan are first-time nominees. Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, and Sade have all been nominated in the past.
The Induction categories include:
- Performers: artists who have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.
- Early Influence Award: artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting culture.
- Musical Excellence Award: given to artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music.
- Ahmet Ertegun Award: non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted culture.
The Inductees were announced live on ABC and Disney+ this evening by Ryan Seacrest and 2022 Inductee Lionel Richie during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode of “American Idol,” where the Top 11 American Idol finalists took on songs from legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees as America voted live for the Top 9. The episode will be available to stream tomorrow on Hulu and Disney+.
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction will tape on Saturday, November 14th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The 2026 ceremony will then debut in December on ABC and Disney+. In 2027, the Induction Ceremony will return to Cleveland.
Ticket on-sale information for the 2026 Induction Ceremony will be announced at a later date. Select Rock & Roll Hall of Fame donors and members receive exclusive Induction ticket opportunities. Donate or join by June 30, 2026, to be eligible. Visit rockhall.com/membership to learn more.