The Metal Hall of Fame is gearing up for what promises to be its most electrifying event yet, as it prepares to take over the legendary Sunset Strip in Los Angeles for the 2026 Blowout Bash. Mark your calendars for January 21, 2026, when two iconic venues—the Rainbow Bar & Grill and the Roxy Theater—will serve as the epicenter of a celebration that honors the giants of '80s hard rock and heavy metal. With a star-studded induction class, celebrity hosts, and a jam-packed evening of festivities, the Metal Hall of Fame is once again cementing its role as the premier institution dedicated to preserving and honoring the legacy of metal music.
According to Loudwire, the 2026 induction ceremony will spotlight five new members, all of whom played pivotal roles in shaping the sound and spirit of the '80s metal scene. This year’s class includes Chris Holmes, the former W.A.S.P. guitarist, who will be inducted by none other than past Metal Hall of Fame honoree Carlos Cavazo. Tracii Guns, founder and frontman of L.A. Guns and co-founder of Guns N' Roses, will also join the ranks of metal royalty. Warren DeMartini, the longtime guitarist for RATT, is set to be honored for his influential riffs and songwriting. Rounding out the class are Rikki Rockett, drummer for Poison and Rockett Mafia, and Riki Rachtman, the former host of MTV’s Headbangers Ball and owner of the famed Cathouse venue.
The evening’s festivities will be hosted by SiriusXM’s Eddie Trunk and entertainment personality Cathy Rankin, ensuring that the event will be as entertaining as it is historic. The night kicks off with a celebrity red carpet at the Rainbow Bar & Grill from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., where fans and stars alike can soak up the glitz and glamour of the Sunset Strip. Following the red carpet, the action moves next door to the Roxy Theater for the induction ceremony and an all-star jam session that promises to bring together some of the biggest names in rock and metal.
"We invite all the fans to join us in celebrating the '80s," says Metal Hall of Fame founder and CEO Pat Gesualdo, as quoted in multiple sources. "Get ready to unleash your inner metal spirit, and dress in leather, studs, big hair, and all the metal you can handle. Two iconic venues, one legendary night." His enthusiasm is palpable, and it’s clear he wants fans to feel like they’re part of something truly special—because they are.
The Metal Hall of Fame, launched with its first ceremony in 2017, is a non-profit organization overseen by a board of legendary entertainment executives. Besides Gesualdo, the board includes industry heavyweights such as Wendy Dio (founder of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund), David Ellefson (formerly of Megadeth), Jimmy Kay (The Metal Voice), Munsey Ricci (Skateboard Marketing), George Johnsen (Mammoth Vision Studio), Brian Perera (founder of Cleopatra Records), and Michael Sarna (Inmotion Entertainment Inc.). Their collective experience ensures that the Hall’s initiatives are guided by a deep respect for the genre and its artists.
The annual Metal Hall of Fame gala has become known for its unforgettable moments and emotional tributes. Past ceremonies have seen Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne grant former Ozzy drummer Lee Kerslake his dying wish of receiving his platinum record awards for the "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary of A Madman" albums. Metallica has inducted Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula, and the Hall has honored icons such as Judas Priest at Wacken Open Air in Germany, Steve Vai, Triumph, Geoff Tate, and members of KISS and Iron Maiden. Other standout moments include Anthrax’s induction at Heavy Montreal, Paul Stanley inducting longtime KISS manager Doc McGhee, and Brian May of Queen inducting Joe Satriani.
For the 2026 bash, the celebration will also feature sponsorship activations from Monster Energy AMA Supercross—complete with appearances by superstar riders—Ghost Tequilia, Koffin Krew Apparel, and "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott’s Blacktooth whiskey. These partnerships add a unique flavor to the event, blending the worlds of music, motorsports, fashion, and even whiskey into one high-octane night.
Fans are not just spectators at the Metal Hall of Fame—they are active participants. As highlighted by all three articles, fans can vote for their favorite bands and musicians to be inducted through the official website, www.metalhalloffame.org. This democratic approach ensures that the Hall reflects not only the opinions of industry insiders but also the voices of the passionate community that keeps metal music alive. Tickets for the event are available for purchase through the same website, making it accessible to die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
Reflecting on the origins of the Metal Hall of Fame, Pat Gesualdo shared with West Coast Leather how the idea was born out of frustration with how metal musicians were treated at mainstream award shows. "In 2016 DEEP PURPLE got inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. When the drummer's wife went up to accept the award on his behalf, the camera panned to the audience and everybody was like half asleep. Ten seconds later Eazy-E got [his] award and everyone was so excited. I was so annoyed. I said, 'You know what? We need our own show and we are going to call it the Metal Hall Of Fame.' That was in April, and that following January 3,000 miles away, we had our first show."
Asked what he loves most about working with the Hall of Fame inductees, Gesualdo remarked, "We are dedicated to preserving and honoring the musicians that have worked so hard for so many decades to keep the music that we love alive and something needed to be done about that." His words echo the sentiments of countless fans and artists who feel that heavy metal and hard rock deserve their own place in the pantheon of music history.
The Metal Hall of Fame has, in less than a decade, become a cornerstone of the global metal community. Previous inductees read like a who’s who of the genre: Judas Priest, Lemmy Kilmister, Ronnie James Dio, Anthrax, Twisted Sister, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, Mike Portnoy, Tom Morello, Joe Satriani, Billy Sheehan, Mick Mars, Marty Friedman, Bill Ward, Jordan Rudess, David Ellefson, and many more. Bands such as Exodus, Anvil, Testament, Helloween, Metal Church, Armored Saint, Biohazard, Saxon, and Stryper have also been honored, as have celebrated vocalists like Geoff Tate, Stephen Pearcy, Don Dokken, Lita Ford, and Sebastian Bach.
As anticipation builds for January 21, 2026, the message from the Metal Hall of Fame is clear: this is more than just an awards show—it’s a raucous, heartfelt tribute to the music, the artists, and the fans who have kept the metal flame burning bright for generations. Whether you’re a lifelong devotee or a curious newcomer, the Sunset Strip’s 2026 Blowout Bash is shaping up to be a night to remember.
With its unique blend of nostalgia, star power, and fan engagement, the Metal Hall of Fame’s 2026 celebration is set to be a defining moment for the genre. For those who love metal, it’s not just an event—it’s a homecoming.
