The San Diego Music Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 inductees, a diverse and eclectic group that showcases the rich musical tapestry of the city. This year's class includes a mix of rockabilly, reggae, jazz, punk, and blues artists, each contributing to the vibrant music scene of San Diego. Among the inductees are Mojo Nixon, a late rockabilly artist known for his song 'Elvis is Everywhere', which was a staple on MTV in the late 1980s. Nixon, who died in 2024 at 66, is also remembered for his collaborations with Skid Roper, a National City native musician. Big Mountain, a reggae band formed in San Diego in the mid-1980s, is another notable inductee. They are best known for their cover of Peter Frampton's 'Baby, I Love Your Way', which reached No. 6 on the Billboard songs chart in 1994. Claudia Russell, also known as Jazz Kitty, is a longtime KSDS 88.3 radio DJ known for her weekly program 'Bohemia After Dark' and her championing of San Diego jazz and the city's music community. The Penetrators, a pioneering San Diego band that helped establish the city's early punk scene in the late 1970s, is another inductee. Larry Grano, a drummer, singer, and San Diego music mainstay, has performed in tribute bands like Rockola and Steely Dan, as well as being the lead singer for the Soul/R&B band, the Soul Persuaders. Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, an award-winning San Diego band that combined blues, soul, and rock music during their electric live shows, led by vocalist Dorothy Mae 'Lady Dottie' Whitsett, is also inducted. Oliver Luck, a veteran trombonist, musician, and longtime educator, whose career touched generations of musicians and students, is another inductee. World War II veteran Luck performed with Count Basie before and after the war. The induction ceremony, scheduled for October 16 at VisionCenter for Spiritual Healing, will feature live performances from members of the bands Big Mountain, The Penetrators, Nixon-affiliated band The Beat Farmers, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, Oliver Luck & Richard James, Gato Papacitos, and more. The ceremony will be preceded by a dinner at 6 p.m., with tickets starting at $61.60 and available online. This year's inductees not only represent the diverse musical landscape of San Diego but also highlight the city's rich history of musical innovation and community engagement. The San Diego Music Hall of Fame's 2026 class is a testament to the enduring impact of these artists on the local music scene and beyond.
