Stars Align in the City of Angels: A Night of Rock Royalty at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Los Angeles, November 8, 2025 – Under the glittering lights of the Peacock Theater, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame marked its 40th anniversary with a ceremony that felt less like a staid awards show and more like a raucous family reunion for music’s most enduring rebels. Returning to L.A. for the first time since 2022, the event – streamed live on Disney+ – clocked in at a mercifully brisk four-and-a-half hours, thanks to a streamlined format for non-performer categories. But don’t let the runtime fool you: the night brimmed with raw emotion, blistering performances, and enough star power to short-circuit the Hollywood sign.

Chairman John Sykes kicked things off with a quip: “Welcome to the second-best thing to happen to Los Angeles in the past week,” nodding to the city’s endless parade of spectacles. A 10-minute sizzle reel of four decades of inductees set the nostalgic tone, but it was the Class of 2025 that stole the spotlight – a eclectic mix spanning ’70s hard rock, ’80s pop eccentricity, ’90s grunge, and hip-hop trailblazers.

The Performer Inductees: Legends Who Defined Decades

The night’s core honors went to seven acts in the Performer category, each tribute a masterclass in musical kinship.

•  Bad Company: Drummer Simon Kirke stood alone onstage, as singer Paul Rodgers sat out due to health concerns and guitarist Mick Ralphs passed away earlier this year. Joined by an all-star supergroup – including Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Heart’s Nancy Wilson, and Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson – Kirke accepted the long-overdue nod. “Justice has been done,” Kirke later told reporters, as the band tore through hits like “Can’t Get Enough.” 

•  Chubby Checker: The twist king, now 84, received a heartfelt video tribute highlighting his role in igniting the dance craze that bridged rock ‘n’ roll’s early eras.

•  Cyndi Lauper: Inducted by rising pop sensation Chappell Roan – who arrived in a silver headpiece homage to Lauper’s ‘80s flair – the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” icon delivered a powerhouse set with an all-women band featuring Avril Lavigne. “I’m so happy you’re bringing women back in,” Lauper declared, her voice cracking with gratitude. “There are a lot of us. And long live rock and roll.”   Roan gushed: “She embodies every quality of an artist that I admire.” 

•  Joe Cocker: The late soul-shouter’s induction, led by Bryan Adams, closed the show on a triumphant note. A sprawling tribute band – think a mini-festival of admirers – belted out “With a Little Help from My Friends,” leaving the crowd in tears.  

•  OutKast: André 3000 and Big Boi reunited onstage for a fiery acceptance speech, reflecting on their Southern hip-hop revolution. Janelle Monáe set the vibe with an electrifying “Hey Ya!” – complete with choreography that had the theater pulsing.   “We came from the dirt, and now we’re here,” Big Boi quipped.

•  Soundgarden: Jim Carrey’s induction speech was a highlight reel of hilarity and heart, pondering his “cosmic connection” to the grunge pioneers before honoring the late Chris Cornell: “His voice will continue to light up the ether like a Tesla coil.” A Seattle supergroup – Nancy Wilson (Heart), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), and Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless) – ripped through “Black Hole Sun,” with Cornell’s family joining for an emotional reunion. Carrey and Momsen, who co-starred in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, shared a poignant full-circle moment.   

•  The White Stripes: Jack White made his Rock Hall debut, inducted alongside Iggy Pop. “She wanted me to tell you all, ‘Remember, Jack, when we used to walk around and for some reason animals would stop and stare at us?’” White said of absent drummer Meg White. Twenty One Pilots crushed “Seven Nation Army,” while Olivia Rodrigo and Feist delivered an acoustic “We’re Gonna Be Friends” mid-audience, turning the theater into a campfire singalong.   

Musical Influence and Excellence: Unsung Heroes Take the Stage

The night shone a light on behind-the-scenes giants. Salt-N-Pepa, inducted by Missy Elliott, reunited with DJ Spinderella – their first joint performance in years after a bitter legal feud. Backed by En Vogue, Kid ‘n Play, and producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor, they turned “Push It” and “Whatta Man” into a house-party explosion, vowing a 2026 tour. “We’re fighting to get our masters back,” Pepa declared, blending celebration with calls for justice. Spinderella beamed: “I’m the first female DJ in the Hall.”   

Warren Zevon earned a posthumous Musical Influence nod via David Letterman, who brandished a guitar Zevon once gifted him. “Warren’s music is dense with historic illusion, love and sadness,” Letterman said, his voice thick. “He’s in my Rock Hall – actually, his own wing.”  

Musical Excellence went to Thom Bell (Philly soul architect), Nicky Hopkins (Rolling Stones keyboardist), and bassist Carol Kaye. The Ahmet Ertegun Award honored producer Lenny Waronker.

All-Star Tributes and Surprise Twists

The evening’s bookends were pure magic. It opened with a cold tribute to late Hall of Famer Sly Stone: Stevie Wonder led Beck, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Questlove, Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson (who slayed “Higher”), and Leon Bridges through a funky medley that had everyone on their feet.   

Post-memoriam, Elton John delivered a hushed “God Only Knows” for Brian Wilson, backed by Don Was on upright bass – a tender pivot amid whispers of backstage drama (John reportedly had a “tantrum” over sound issues, per insiders).  

The all-star finale? A sprawling jam session blending eras, from grunge riffs to hip-hop hooks – a reminder that rock ‘n’ roll’s family tree is vast and unpruned.

Legacy in Artifacts and Airwaves

Fans can relive it all via the Inductee Exhibit opening October 31 at Cleveland’s Rock Hall, featuring Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” lyrics, OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” video outfit, and Chris Cornell’s 1979 Gibson Les Paul.  Catch highlights on ABC January 1, 2026, or stream the full ceremony on Disney+.

As confetti fell and the crowd lingered, one truth rang clear: At 40, the Rock Hall isn’t just honoring the past – it’s igniting the future. In a world of algorithms and auto-tune, these inductees remind us why live, flawed, and fierce music still rules. Long live rock ‘n’ roll.