Sade has announced that the band will not attend this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The English group, featuring singer Sade Adu, bassist Paul Denman, guitarist Stuart Matthewman, and keyboardist Andrew Hale, will miss the event on Saturday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
"Sorry we can't be there in person to celebrate with the other artists," the band said in a statement obtained by Page Six. "Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us."
The band described their induction as "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."
Sade also extended thanks to their longtime manager Roger Davis. They dedicated the honor to Mike Pela, a longtime collaborator they referred to as their "fifth Sade," who died suddenly in 2022. "This is as much yours as ours Mike forever our soul mate," the band stated.
Sade is among the artists being inducted in the Performer Category, which also includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
Fellow inductees Oasis will also be absent from the ceremony. Liam Gallagher, the band's lead singer, cited the distance and prior commitments as reasons for his non-attendance. Unlike Gallagher, Sade did not provide a specific reason for their absence.