CLEVELAND — The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its list of inductees for 2025, spotlighting notable figures from various genres, including hip-hop, rock, and pop. Among the honorees are the influential duo OutKast, pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and the groundbreaking indie rock band The White Stripes, each recognized for their significant contributions to the music landscape.
This year’s class also includes iconic names such as the English rock supergroup Bad Company, dance music pioneer Chubby Checker, the soulful Joe Cocker, and the grunge legends Soundgarden. Each artist or group has left an indelible mark on the music industry, shaping sounds that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Additional honors were allocated to artists recognized in special categories. The Musical Influence Award celebrates the impactful hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa and singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. In the realm of excellence, Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye received the Musical Excellence Award, while the esteemed Ahmet Ertegun Award went to Lenny Waronker, acknowledging his contributions to the music scene as a co-founder of Atlantic Records.
John Sykes, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame chairman, expressed admiration for this year’s inductees, stating they “created distinctive sounds and attitudes that transformed culture and reshaped the trajectory of Rock & Roll.” He emphasized the lasting influence these musicians have had on generations of artists who followed in their footsteps.
The announcement aired live on ABC during a special episode of “American Idol,” hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The Top 14 finalists paid tribute to past inductees, performing iconic songs as viewers voted on contestant eliminations. The episode will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
To be considered for induction, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the nomination year. Notably, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, and OutKast are receiving their first nominations. In contrast, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes have previously been nominated.
Earlier this year, the Hall Foundation announced nominees, which included celebrated names like Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, and Phish.
The induction ceremony for the Class of 2025 is set to take place on November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event will be streamed live on Disney+, with a special broadcast on ABC at a later date, followed by availability on Hulu the next day. Fans eagerly anticipate the celebration of these musical legends and future icons.