Monday, November 10, 2025

Music Pioneers Inducted Into R&R Hall of Fame


The 40th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony electrified the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 8, 2025, honoring a diverse class of music pioneers with powerhouse performances, emotional speeches, and star-studded reunions that bridged decades of rock, hip-hop, soul, and grunge.

Streamed live on Disney+, the event drew nearly 40 guest artists—including Elton John, Olivia Rodrigo, and Missy Elliott—creating "lifetime musical moments" amid a red carpet buzzing with icons like Cyndi Lauper and André 3000. 

Absentee honorees like Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and the White Stripes' Meg White amplified the night's themes of legacy and loss, while present inductees like OutKast reunited onstage for a triumphant "Hey Ya!" that had the crowd roaring.


Key Inductees and Tributes

The 2025 class spanned six decades, from 1950s twist king Chubby Checker to 2000s garage rock duo the White Stripes, inducted across Performer, Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and Ahmet Ertegun categories. 

Highlights included: 
  • OutKast (Performer): André 3000 and Big Boi, flashing peace signs on the red carpet, delivered a fiery acceptance speech on hip-hop's evolution before a supergroup tribute led by Doja Cat, Janelle Monáe, and Tyler, the Creator tore through "Hey Ya!" and "Ms. Jackson," blending '90s swagger with modern flair.
  • Cyndi Lauper (Performer): The '80s pop icon, beaming in a vibrant ensemble, accepted her honor with a heartfelt speech on resilience and women's voices in music, inducted by Chappell Roan; a medley of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time" followed, with Roan joining for a generational handover.
  • Soundgarden (Performer, Posthumous for Chris Cornell): A Seattle grunge all-star jam—featuring Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Brandi Carlile, Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless), Nancy Wilson (Heart), and Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)—unleashed a haunting "Black Hole Sun," drawing tears and thunderous applause for the late frontman.
  • The White Stripes (Performer): Jack White, solo after Meg White's no-show, inducted by Olivia Rodrigo and Feist, performed a raw "Seven Nation Army" and dedicated his speech to his ex-bandmate, calling her the "heartbeat" of their sound; Rodrigo and Feist then covered the tender "We're Going to Be Friends."
  • Salt-N-Pepa (Musical Influence): The hip-hop trailblazers rocked a high-energy set of "Push It," "Whatta Man" (with En Vogue), and "Shoop," but Cheryl "Salt" James used her speech to spotlight their ongoing lawsuit against Universal Music Group over masters' rights, turning celebration into advocacy.
  • Joe Cocker (Performer, Posthumous): Bryan Adams, Chris Robinson (Black Crowes), Cyndi Lauper, Teddy Swims, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band evoked the soul screamer's spirit with a gospel-infused "With a Little Help From My Friends," complete with communal harmonies that filled the theater.
Other nods went to Bad Company (drummer Simon Kirke attended, but Paul Rodgers skipped for health reasons), Chubby Checker, Warren Zevon (posthumous), and session legends Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and guitartist Carol Kaye (Kaye declined attendance).  Record exec Lenny Waronker received the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Standout Performances and Reunions
Elton John honored Beach Boy Brian Wilson (a prior inductee) with a piano-driven "God Only Knows," crediting him as his "biggest influence." Flea and Beck jammed Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough," while Twenty One Pilots paid homage to the White Stripes with a frenetic "Fell in Love With a Girl." 

Hosted by John Sykes, the ceremony streamed live at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+, with an ABC highlights special slated for January 1, 2026, on Hulu.
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