The inductees to this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. From the names who made the list to when the ceremony will air on television, this is everything you need to know.
The Context
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was first established in 1983 by Ahmet Ertegun, the founder and chairman of Atlantic Records. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is also a museum located in Cleveland, Ohio, that documents the history of rock music.
Every year since 1986, a group of artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The inductees have in recent years, been criticized for their lack of diversity. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation has also declined over time. In 1989, BIPOC artists represented 55.8 percent of inductees, but by 2019 this dropped to 32.7 percent.
Who Are the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees?
Cyndi Lauper
The American singer and songwriter will be inducted this year. Lauper’s debut studio album She’s So Unusual (1983) was the first debut album by a female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Now 71, Lauper has won three of the four major American entertainment awards—two Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Tony Award. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
Taking to Instagram after the news, Lauper wrote on Instagram that she is “humbled,” to join her heroes like Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Chaka Kahn and Joni Mitchell. “Women have made so many important contributions to music,” she wrote. “A win for one of us is a win for all of us.”
Outkast
American hip-hop duo and Hey Ya! hitmakers Outkast, which comprises Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin), who are widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time will also be inducted.
Outkast is also one of the most successful hip-hop acts, with certified sales of 20 million records between six studio albums and a compilation album, as well as six Grammy Awards.
The White Stripes
American rock duo The White Stripes, who were a leading force in the indie rock and garage rock revival from the ’00s will be inducted.
Soundgarden
Grunge pioneers Soundgarden will also be inducted. Their fourth album Superunknown debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and featured the Grammy Award Winning single, “Black Hole Sun.” The group was founded in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell who died in 2017.
Chubby Checker
The American rock and roll singer known for popularizing “The Twist” is on the inductee list this year.
Joe Cocker
The late English singer, who rose to stardom with a cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” was known for his bluesy voice and dynamic stage presence.
Bad Company
The British rock supergroup, which features members of the bands Free (Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke), Mott the Hopple (Mick Ralphs) and King Crimson (Boz Burrel), which formed in 1973 will be inducted.
When Does the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony Air?
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on November 8 and will be livestreamed on Disney+.
Who Is Being Honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025?
In addition to the inductees, there are awards given at the ceremony. This is who will be honored this year.
Musical Influence Award:
- Salt-N-Peppa
- Warren Zevon
Musical Excellence Award:
- Thom Bell
- Nicky Hopkins
- Carol Kaye
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
- Lenny Waronker
When Is the Next Group of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Announced?
Artists become eligible for the induction 25 years after their first commercial recording. This means the 2026 class will include artists who released their first recording in 2001.
Some notable newly eligible names for 2026 include: The Strokes, Alicia Keys, The National The Streets and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
This year, artists who were part of the longlist but did not make the cut for induction included: Oasis, Mariah Carey, Joy Division/New Order, Phish, Billy Idol and The Black Crowes. These artists could be considered for induction again next year as artists can be nominated and considered multiple times.
The post Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Newsweek.
