The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class has officially been revealed — and it’s nothing short of legendary.
A dynamic mix of boundary-breakers, cultural game-changers, and sonic innovators will take their rightful place in music history this November, as the Hall continues its tradition of honoring those who’ve shaped the soundtracks of generations.
Leading the charge is none other than pop trailblazer Cyndi Lauper, whose unapologetic voice, bold fashion, and empowering anthems like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Time After Time” transformed the face of ‘80s pop. Lauper, in her response to the honor, graciously paid tribute to the pioneering women who came before her — from Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner to Joni Mitchell — calling them her “north stars” in a male-dominated industry. (Sources: People, EW)
Joining her in the Performer Category is an eclectic and powerful lineup:
OutKast, the genre-blending duo who redefined hip-hop with Southern flavor.
The White Stripes, garage rock revivalists known for their raw energy and minimalist brilliance.
Soundgarden, grunge icons whose gritty sound defined a generation.
Bad Company, rock titans with decades of arena-shaking hits.
Chubby Checker, the man who got America twisting in the ’60s.
Joe Cocker, whose soulful, gravelly voice made every cover uniquely his own.
But that’s not all — the Hall is also shining light on Musical Influence Award recipients Salt-N-Pepa, the iconic female rap group that changed the game for women in hip-hop, and the late Warren Zevon, revered for his literate lyrics and cult-favorite catalog.
Meanwhile, the Musical Excellence Award goes to three behind-the-scenes legends: producer Thom Bell, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, and trailblazing session bassist Carol Kaye, each of whom helped define classic records across genres and decades.
Rounding out the honors is Lenny Waronker, a revered industry executive, who will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for his influential work guiding artists behind the scenes.
The induction ceremony will light up the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 8, 2025, with a star-studded celebration broadcast live on Disney+, and re-aired on ABC and Hulu for global audiences.
This year’s class not only reflects the rich tapestry of rock’s past — it reaffirms the Hall’s embrace of music’s evolving identity, one that crosses boundaries of genre, geography, and generation.
