ARIA Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees Revealed as Awards Mark 40th Anniversary
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has officially unveiled the six artists selected for induction into the 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame. This year’s ceremony, scheduled for June 11 at Carriageworks in Sydney, serves as a centerpiece for the ARIA Awards’ landmark 40th-anniversary celebrations, held in partnership with Spotify.
The 2026 inductees include Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End, and Vika & Linda. These artists join a prestigious roster of past honorees, including AC/DC, INXS, Kylie Minogue, Crowded House, Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes, Archie Roach, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Olivia Newton-John, and Yothu Yindi.
A Legacy of Australian Music
The late Gurrumul, born Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu of the Gumatj clan of Elcho Island, remains one of Australia’s most culturally significant figures. Blind from birth, the Indigenous singer-songwriter achieved global acclaim with his 2008 self-titled debut, which sold over 500,000 copies worldwide. His career included performances for Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. President Barack Obama, alongside 10 ARIA Award wins and 16 National Indigenous Music Awards before his passing in 2017.
Jenny Morris, who rose to prominence in the 1980s with QED and INXS, later established a successful solo career with platinum albums such as Body and Soul and Shiver. A two-time ARIA winner for Best Female Artist, Morris has also been a vital industry advocate, serving as chair of the APRA board and founding the charity Art of Music.
Kate Ceberano, who broke through in 1984 with I’m Talking, has maintained a prolific career spanning four decades. With 31 albums and 57 singles, she holds the rare distinction of achieving top 10 albums across five consecutive decades, alongside five ARIA wins.
Rock and Soul Icons
Spiderbait, the trio of Janet English, Kram Maher, and Damian Whitty, transitioned from the punk underground to mainstream success with their 1996 double-platinum album Ivy & The Big Apples. Their hit “Buy Me a Pony” made history as the first Australian song to top the triple j Hottest 100, while their cover of “Black Betty” reached No. 1 on the ARIA singles chart.
The Living End, featuring Chris Cheney, Scott Owen, and Andy Strachan, have been a cornerstone of Australian rock since their 1998 self-titled debut. Their single “Second Solution / Prisoner of Society” remains the biggest Australian single of the 1990s, and the band holds the record for the most consecutive entries in the triple j Hottest 100 from 1997 to 2006.
Sisters Vika Bull and Linda Bull have enjoyed a four-decade career, first with The Black Sorrows and later as a celebrated duo. Their 1994 debut reached the ARIA Top 10, and their 2020 anthology Akilota hit No. 1. The sisters, who received the Order of Australia Medal in 2022, continue to release new music, with their ninth studio album, Where Do You Come From?, arriving this June.
Looking Ahead
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd noted that the inductees “represent the depth, diversity and enduring influence of Australian music across generations.” She added, “As we mark 40 years of the ARIA Awards, it feels especially meaningful to honour these artists whose work has defined moments in time and continues to resonate with audiences today.”
The 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame Special Event will take place on June 11 in Sydney. The 2026 ARIA Awards are set for November 18 at the Horden Pavilion, with live coverage on Paramount+ and Network 10.
