Sade will be amiss from their own Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction but has shared a statement on how much they appreciate the honor.
In a statement released Tuesday (Nov. 10), the British soul outfit apologized for missing the Saturday (Nov. 14) ceremony at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. "Sorry we can't be there in person to celebrate with the other artists," the band wrote.
"Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us," the statement continued.
The group’s members, vocalist Sade Adu, bassist Paul Denman, saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, and keyboardist Andrew Hale, also described what the induction means to them:
"Both a gift and a timely reminder to give thanks, not only to those who voted for us, but also every single person who lets our music into their lives… we are indebted to the ones who've been with us on this road to get here,” they stated.
The band also thanked their longtime manager, Roger Davis, and concluded with a tribute to Mike Pela, the late producer the band calls its "fifth Sade," who died of a sudden illness in 2022. "This is as much yours as ours Mike forever our soul mate," the band wrote.
The news comes one day after Rolling Stone reported that British rock band Oasis will also be absent from the ceremony. Previous inductees have skipped their Rock Hall ceremonies before, including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and more.
Sade will be inducted under the Performer category after first being nominated in 2024. The band formed in London in 1982 and released six studio albums, the latest being 2010’s Soldier of Love, and have moved more than 81.5 million equivalent copies globally.
Rock Hall’s 2026 class was announced in April, and the lineup includes legendary musicians Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
The broadcast airs in December 8 on ABC, and will be available to stream next-day on Hulu and Disney+.
