Los Angeles, California — The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 inductees, featuring a diverse lineup that includes iconic names such as Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden, Chubby Checker, and The White Stripes. The announcement was made during Sunday night’s episode of ABC’s “American Idol,” marking the second consecutive year the popular program has revealed the Hall’s latest class of honorees.
Joining the performers this year, Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will receive the Musical Influence Award. The Musical Excellence Award will be presented to Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye, while the prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Award will go to Lenny Waronker, celebrated for his long tenure as president of Warner Records.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 8 at the Peacock Theater and will be streamed live on Disney+. A special broadcast detailing the event will air on ABC at a later date. This year marks the fourth induction ceremony hosted in Los Angeles, the first since 2022.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, praised the inductees for their unique contributions to the music landscape. “Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever,” he stated. He emphasized that their music has resonated with generations and has inspired a multitude of artists that followed.
Among the nominees not selected for induction this year are The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, Oasis, and Phish. This year’s induction saw newcomers The Black Crowes, Billy Idol, Phish, and Maná vying for a place in the Hall for the first time. Although Phish won the fan vote, which counts as one ballot in the overall process, they fell short of making the final cut.
Last year’s inductees included Cher, Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. This year’s inductees are entering on their initial nominations, with Cocker’s recognition coming over a decade after his passing in 2014, and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, who died in 2017. Lauper and The White Stripes were both up for nomination last year, while Soundgarden has been on the ballot multiple times since 2020.
Chubby Checker holds the distinction of having waited the longest for this honor, having released his debut album in 1960. The anticipation surrounding this year’s selection highlights the evolving landscape of rock music and its enduring influence on culture and artistry.