The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 proved that rock and roll’s spirit is anything but one-note. The inductees—spanning hip-hop pioneers, pop icons, guitar heroes, and studio masterminds—showcased how rebellion, rhythm, and reinvention remain timeless forces in music.
Held November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the night celebrated a lineup that could fill both a record store’s classic rock bin and a modern playlist. The performers inducted this year included Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, OutKast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. Honorees also included Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon (Musical Influence Award), Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye (Musical Excellence Award), and Lenny Waronker (Ahmet Ertegun Award).
From the soulful grooves of Carol Kaye’s basslines to the genre-bending innovations of OutKast, the 2025 class reflected rock and roll’s ever-expanding boundaries. OutKast’s induction, presented by Donald Glover (Childish Gambino), drew thunderous applause as he hailed them for being "undeniable.” The duo’s arrival on the Hall’s stage—complete with a flash of André 3000’s signature flair—cemented their place as one of music’s most forward-thinking forces.
Cyndi Lauper, who’s long campaigned for the Hall’s inclusion of more women, accepted her award with humor and heart. "I know that I stand on the shoulders of the women in the industry that came before me," she said, "and my shoulders are broad enough to have the women who come after me stand on mine."
Soundgarden’s induction, presented by Jim Carrey, carried emotional weight, honoring the late Chris Cornell with a moving performance by his bandmates joined by Brandi Carlile. Meanwhile, Bad Company and Chubby Checker brought a classic rock and early rock ‘n’ roll energy that reminded everyone where it all began.
If there was a throughline to the night, it was the enduring power of reinvention—and few embodied that more than The White Stripes. Inducted by Iggy Pop, the Detroit duo’s minimalist approach helped redefine 2000s rock. Jack White accepted the award solo, acknowledging Meg White’s absence but sharing her gratitude: “She said she’s very sorry she couldn’t make it tonight, but she’s very grateful for the folks who have supported her throughout all the years.”
Performances from Twenty One Pilots, who ripped through “Seven Nation Army,” and Olivia Rodrigo with Feist, who offered a delicate rendition of “We’re Going to Be Friends,” captured both sides of the band’s legacy—feral energy and innocent charm.
The non-performer inductees reminded the audience that not all legends stand center stage. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, bassist Carol Kaye, and producer Thom Bell were recognized for the sonic foundations they built—behind the scenes but essential to the evolution of pop, soul, and rock.
Salt-N-Pepa’s induction marked a rare crossover moment, celebrating not only their trailblazing presence as women in hip-hop but also their direct influence on pop culture at large. And producer Lenny Waronker, whose career shaped everyone from Randy Newman to k.d. lang, was honored with the Ahmet Ertegun Award for his visionary ear.
The evening wasn’t about nostalgia—it was about endurance. Whether through rebellion, rhythm, or raw emotion, these artists reminded us that rock and roll isn’t a genre, it’s a pulse.
Full Class of 2025 Inductees:
Bad Company
Carol Kaye
Chubby Checker
Cyndi Lauper
How Cocker
Lenny Waronker
Nicky Hopkins
OutKast
Salt N Pepa
Soundgarden
Thom Bell
Warren Zevon
The White Stripes
Find more information on the class of 2025 here.
Photo by Patrick Pantano
