Carrie Underwood brought two Idols together during American Idol‘s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on Monday (Apr. 13.)
She brought out legendary rocker Billy Idol for a performance of “Rebel Yell” during the show, trading verses — and rafter-raising howls — with the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
Watch Carrie Underwood Sing With Billy Idol on American Idol
Underwood came out to sing solo, but there was a clue that Idol was going to be the surprise guest. Legendary guitarist Steve Stevens, who played on Idol’s original Rebel Yell album and several other studio projects, was onstage performing with her.
Stevens — who’s also known for playing lead guitar on the Top Gun theme — gave a rollicking guitar solo during the performance.
But of course, the biggest shock of the performance was when Idol himself walked onstage. The singer released “Rebel Yell” as a single for the first time in 1984, but it was a 1985 re-release that became the canonic hit fans still scream along to today.
Who’s Getting Inducted Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2026?
Idol‘s Rock Hall night was a celebration of the new class of inductees, who were revealed on Monday.
Billy Idol is one of eight performers headed into the Hall in 2026.
Read More: Which Country Artists Are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
The Top 11 American Idol contestants were tasked with singing musical performances honoring three of the inductees — Idol, Iron Maiden and Oasis — during Monday night’s episode.
Why Did Carrie Underwood Sing a Rock Song on American Idol?
Underwood may be a country superstar, but it’s no secret that she’s also a huge fan of classic rock.
Back in 2019, she enlisted Joan Jett for a surprise collaboration at CMA Fest. They sang “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” “Bad Reputation” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Read More: Carrie Underwood was ‘Super Nervous’ to Open For Guns ‘N’ Roses
She’s also teamed up with Guns ‘N’ Roses on several occasions, including opening for the legendary group in the summer of 2023.
What Happened During the Latest Episode of American Idol?
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame week whittled the remaining American Idol contestants down from 11 to 9. Two were eliminated at the end of the episode.
Every ‘American Idol’ Winner Ranked: Least To Most Memorable
We’ve sorted each of the show’s 23 champions in order of who is most famous to country fans. No. 1 may be predictable but a thorough scroll may trigger voting memories from seasons past, plus an update on who is still active in music today.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
