Who is the youngest inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

During the virtual 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, 32-year-old Ilan Rubin, drummer of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails (NIИ), set a record as the youngest living inductee. Before Rubin was inducted, Stevie Wonder held the record at 38 when he was inducted in 1989. Rubin also set records as the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee born in the 1980s and born after the HOF was established.

The San Diego native is well known for his work in (NIИ) and several other bands, including Paramore, Lostprophets, Angels & Airwaves, and Danny Elfman. He is also formed The New Regime, a band in which he plays all the instruments.

Nine Inch Nails founder Trent Reznor watched a teenaged Rubin at a festival in 2007 as a drummer for Lostprophets. He was impressed by his performance, so when NIИ needed a drummer, Reznor reached out to Rubin.

Rubin joined NIИ in 2009 as drummer at the age of 20, replacing Josh Freese, who parted ways with the band the prior year. Throughout this time with NIИ, Rubin's role has expanded to include playing piano, synths, bass, guitar, and even cello.

The band was inducted by Iggy Pop at the 2020 ceremony, which was held virtually due to the covid pandemic. Several others shared their thoughts about the band, including St. Vincent, Rick Rubin, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Iovine, David Fincher, Mark Ronson, and Saul Williams.

Rubin was inducted with fellow and past bandmates Trent Reznor, Alessandro Cortini, Robin Finck, Danny Lohner, Atticus Ross, and Chris Vrenna. Some former band members were left out as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame only allows a specific number of spots per induction. Reznor added these names to his acceptance, acknowledging their part in the band: Charlie Clouser, James Woolley, Rich Patrick, Josh Freese, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Jerome Dillon, Aaron North, Jeff Ward, and Jeordie White.

Rubin had this to say regarding the honor of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

" And as far as honors go, I’m proud to say I now have something in common with so many of my heroes who have been inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Fame, as well. Never did I think I would reach this feat, let alone at the age of 32. I owe it to Trent Reznor, our friends and bandmates, my family, and of the course the Hall Of Fame itself. Thank you all so much."

Ilan Rubin

Below is Reznor's acceptance speech.

Rubin is praised as a talented multi-instrumentalist and producer who writes every song and plays every instrument he records. Check out this Nine Inch Nails performance from The Santa Barbara Bowl on Sept. 13, 2022. Watch below as Rubin seamlessly transitions from drums to keyboards and back to drums.

Ilan Rubin list of bands

The New Regime (2007-2020)
Nine Inch Nails (2009-present)
Angels & Airwaves (2011-present)
Paramore (2012-2013)
Danny Elfman (2023-present)