Australian-Tongan music sisters Vika and Linda Bull have been named among six inductees into the 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame, as the Australian Recording Industry Association marks the 40th anniversary of its flagship music awards.
The celebrated vocal duo will be honoured alongside the late Gurrumul Yunupingu, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait and The Living End at a special Hall of Fame event in Sydney. The induction recognises the sisters’ four-decade contribution to Australian music and their enduring influence across generations.
Born to a Tongan father and Australian mother, Vika and Linda Bull first gained national attention as members of The Black Sorrows before establishing a successful career as a duo. Their powerful harmonies and distinctive stage presence have made them among Australia’s most respected live performers.
ARIA said the sisters’ 1994 self-titled debut album reached the Australian Top 10 and achieved platinum status. Their anthology album ‘Akilotoa (Anthology 1993–2006)’ returned them to the top of the charts in 2020, while collaborations with artists including Paul Kelly, Archie Roach and Kasey Chambers further cemented their reputation.
In announcing the inductees, ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said the artists represented the “depth, diversity and enduring influence” of Australian music. The Hall of Fame event forms part of celebrations marking four decades of the ARIA Awards, first established in 1987.
For many Tongans, the recognition carries additional significance, highlighting the achievements of Pacific artists on one of Australia’s most prominent cultural stages. The induction ceremony was held at Sydney’s Carriageworks on 11 June, celebrating artists whose work continues to shape contemporary Australian music.
