The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating a diverse class of inductees including OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, and the White Stripes. Performances and tributes featured star-studded collaborations honoring both living artists and recent losses like Sly Stone and Warren Zevon. The event highlighted music's enduring influence through speeches, medleys, and emotional moments.
Inductees and Awards
This year's inductees included OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker. Warren Zevon received a posthumous Musical Influence Award, while Salt-N-Pepa earned the same honor, marking the first time a female DJ, Spinderella, was inducted.
Key Tributes and Performances
The ceremony opened with a tribute to Sly Stone, who died earlier in 2025 at age 82. Stevie Wonder, Questlove, Jennifer Hudson, Maxwell, Beck, Flea, and Leon Thomas performed a medley of Sly and the Family Stone hits, including 'Dance to the Music,' 'Everyday People,' 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),' and 'Higher.'
David Letterman inducted Warren Zevon, sharing an emotional story about receiving Zevon's guitar before his 2003 death. The Killers, joined by guitarist Waddy Wachtel, covered 'Lawyers, Guns and Money' from Zevon's 1978 album Excitable Boy. Letterman said, 'Warren Zevon is in my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Actually, his own wing.'
Soundgarden was inducted by Jim Carrey, who recounted hosting their 1996 Saturday Night Live appearance. Surviving members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd, and Hiro Yamamoto performed 'Rusty Cage' and 'Black Hole Sun' with Brandi Carlile, Taylor Momsen, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, and Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell. Toni Cornell sang an acoustic 'Fell on Black Days' with Nancy Wilson. Yamamoto noted, 'Chris Cornell, we are so missing you tonight on this stage.'
Chappell Roan inducted Cyndi Lauper, praising her as a redefiner of pop stardom. Lauper performed a medley of 'True Colors,' 'Time After Time' with Raye, and 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' with Avril Lavigne and Salt-N-Pepa. In her speech, Lauper said, 'The little kid in me still believes that rock ‘n’ roll can save the world.'
Donald Glover inducted OutKast, crediting them for inspiring his work as Childish Gambino. André 3000 and Big Boi accepted, with Big Boi performing a medley featuring Doja Cat, Killer Mike, J.I.D., Tyler, the Creator, Janelle Monáe, and Sleepy Brown on songs like 'ATLiens,' 'Ms. Jackson,' and 'Hey Ya!' André 3000 reflected, 'Great things start in little rooms.'
Iggy Pop inducted the White Stripes, calling them 'a 21st century Adam and Eve.' Jack White accepted for himself and absent Meg White, urging young artists to 'get obsessed.' Olivia Rodrigo and Feist dueted 'We’re Going to Be Friends,' while Twenty One Pilots covered 'Seven Nation Army.'
Missy Elliott inducted Salt-N-Pepa, stating, 'These three women are the bricklayers to the foundation that holds hip-hop together.' They performed 'My Mic Sounds Nice,' 'Shoop,' 'Let’s Talk About Sex,' 'Whatta Man' with En Vogue, and 'Push It.' Salt James addressed their fight for master recordings: 'Salt-N-Pepa have never been afraid of a fight.'
Elton John paid tribute to Brian Wilson, who died in June 2025, with 'God Only Knows,' saying, 'He was the one that influenced me more than anybody else.'
The event underscored music's communal power amid recent losses and ongoing industry challenges.
