The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced its Class of 2025, with OutKast, The White Stripes, and Cyndi Lauper leading the list of inductees. These iconic artists will be joining the ranks of legendary musicians who have shaped the course of rock and roll. Alongside them, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, and Soundgarden will also be inducted as performers.

Other Honors at the 2025 Inductions

In addition to the performers, several other figures in music will be recognized with special awards:

• Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will receive the Musical Influence Award.

• Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye will be honored with the Musical Excellence Award.

• Lenny Waronker, former president of Warner Bros. Records, will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, praised the inductees: “Each of these artists created their own sound and attitude, profoundly impacting culture and forever changing the course of Rock & Roll.”

Notable Snubs and Fan Reactions

Despite the exciting list of inductees, the 2025 class is not without controversy. Phish, who won the fan vote, and Joy Division/New Order have been notably excluded from the inductee list. Fans are particularly upset over the second omission of Joy Division/New Order, despite their influential role in shaping rock and synth-pop in the 1980s. Mariah Carey also missed out, sparking debates about the Hall of Fame’s criteria.

The 2025 Induction Ceremony

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will stream live on Disney+, with an edited version airing on ABC at a later date.

Potential Reunions and Performances

The induction ceremony often becomes a stage for legendary reunions, and this year, fans are hoping to see a few memorable moments:

• The White Stripes, who haven’t performed together since 2009, could reunite, though Meg White has maintained a low profile in recent years.

• Soundgarden has occasionally come together since the death of Chris Cornell in 2017, with the band recently performing under the name Nudedragons in December 2024.

• Salt-N-Pepa may also reunite with former DJ Spinderella, with whom they’ve had a public dispute, though reports suggest the group has been mending their relationship.

The OutKast induction raises the possibility of a reunion between André 3000 and Big Boi, though André 3000 has expressed reluctance about performing live again, citing a lack of interest in revisiting the past.

Chubby Checker’s Long-Awaited Induction

After years of being overlooked, Chubby Checker, best known for his groundbreaking hit “The Twist,” will finally receive the recognition he’s long deserved. Checker, who has been eligible for induction since 1984, famously sent an angry letter to the Hall of Fame in 2002, stating that his contributions to music had been overlooked. “Chubby Checker changed everything,” he wrote.

Cyndi Lauper’s Recognition

Cyndi Lauper will be inducted shortly after completing her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour. The pop icon expressed her gratitude to her fans, stating, “From the start, I’ve just wanted to make music that means something to people, that lifts them up and makes them feel seen. This honor is as much for them as it is for me.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 induction ceremony promises to be a momentous event, with fans eagerly anticipating potential reunions and performances from their favorite artists.