It’s official: Sade won’t be on hand this weekend for their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
The elusive British act, fronted by the iconic singer Sade Adu, confirmed what should come as a surprise to none of their superfans, by way of a post on the band’s official website.
“Sorry we can’t be there in person to celebrate with the other artists,” reads the statement from Adu. “Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us.”
Adu is tapped for Rock Hall induction in the performer category along with bandmates Paul Spencer Denman (bass guitar), Andrew Hale (keyboards) and Stuart Matthewman (saxophone). Sade will be inducted after their second nomination (the first came in 2024), in a Class of 2026 that’s stacked with countrymen and women, from Phil Collins to Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order and Oasis
“Being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame is both a gift and a timely reminder to give thanks,” Sade’s message continues, “not only to those who voted for us but also every single person who lets our music into their lives.”
The band also paid tribute to Australian artist manager Roger Davies, and the late record producer Mike Pela, who died in 2022, aged 72. ”We are indebted to the ones who’ve been with us on this road to get here,” the Sade message reads. “Sade, Stuart, Andrew and Paul. Mike Pela, the fifth Sade…this is as much yours as ours Mike. Forever our soul mate.”
Formed in London in the early 1980, Sade, all class and groove, slid into the airwaves with several of the era’s creamiest hits, including “Smooth Operator” and “Sweetest Taboo,” which both peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. Make no mistake, Sade was a leading figure in the second British invasion, only the group went to the top without the shoulder pads, teased hair or tabloid headlines.
Adu and her band have earned the reputation as one of the most enigmatic acts in music, with impressive gaps between albums. Sade’s most recent album, Soldier of Love, dropped in 2010, a full decade after its predecessor, Lovers Rock.
Across the group’s recording career, Sade has collected four Grammy Awards, including best new artist in 1986, topped the Billboard 200 with two titles (1985’s sophomore album Promise and Soldier Of Love), and its singer has received several royal honors for services to music, including an OBE in 2002, and a CBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours.
Sade joins Oasis on the sidelines of the Rock Hall’s annual induction ceremony, set for this Saturday (Nov. 14) event at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
When Rolling Stone reported on Monday (Nov. 9) that the Gallagher brothers, who’ve buried the hatchet after a years-long bitter rivalry, Liam Gallagher appeared to confirm that he’s got other pressing things on his mind. Liam wrote, “It’s too far to be going for the night I got s–t to do it’s Christmas,” he wrote in response to the report on X Tuesday morning (Nov. 10).
