California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that Metallica will be inducted into the 2026 California Hall of Fame, according to Consequence. The band joins other cultural and political figures including Rob and Michelle Reiner and Barry Bonds in this year’s class.
The California Hall of Fame honors people who have shaped California, the nation and the world through their work and influence. The 2026 class marks the 20th anniversary of the institution.
Governor Newsom spoke about the honorees and their significance. “For 20 years, the California Hall of Fame has celebrated the extraordinary people who make this state what it is,” he said. “This historic class reflects the very best of California and what’s possible when people have the courage to think big and make a difference. Their legacy will inspire the next generation to keep pushing boundaries and showing the world what Californians can do.”
Anne Marie Petrie, chair of the California Museum Board Of Trustees, also commented on the milestone. “For 20 years, the California Museum has been honored to serve as home to the California Hall Of Fame, where we celebrate the extraordinary Californians who have shaped our state, our nation, and our world,” Petrie said. “This historic 20th class carries that legacy forward, reminding us that each of us has the power to leave a lasting mark on history.”
The induction recognizes Metallica’s impact as one of the most influential rock bands in music history.
Metallica was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield. The group has been based in San Francisco for most of its career and became one of the founding bands of thrash metal, known for their fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship. The band’s fifth album, Metallica, released in 1991, was a turning point that brought them to a mainstream audience and has sold more than 16 million copies in the United States.
Over their decades of work, Metallica became one of the most commercially successful bands of all time, with more than 163 million albums sold worldwide as of 2023. Their awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards and a 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band also received Sweden’s Polar Music Prize.
The California Hall of Fame honors artists and leaders who have left a mark on their state and the world. This 20th anniversary class of 2026 includes figures from music, film, sports and other fields who have shaped culture and society.
