Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees Announced: Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, The White Stripes Lead Star-Studded Class

1 May 2025

Per Ole Hagen/Redferns; Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images; Ebet Roberts/Redferns

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced its 2025 class of inductees, honoring a diverse and influential group of artists who have left an indelible mark on music history. The announcement came during a special “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night” episode of American Idol on April 27, 2025, creating an exciting crossover between legendary icons and emerging talent.

Headlining the Performer Category are pop icon Cyndi Lauper, hip-hop trailblazers Outkast, garage rock revivalists The White Stripes, grunge pioneers Soundgarden, classic rockers Bad Company, dance craze legend Chubby Checker, and soulful powerhouse Joe Cocker.

In addition to the main inductees, the Hall of Fame is also honoring several key figures in music history:

The Musical Influence Award will go to groundbreaking hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa and cult-favorite singer-songwriter Warren Zevon.

The Musical Excellence Award celebrates behind-the-scenes visionaries like producer Thom Bell, legendary session pianist Nicky Hopkins, and acclaimed bassist Carol Kaye, whose studio work shaped countless classic tracks.

The prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Award, which recognizes non-performing industry professionals, will be awarded to record executive Lenny Waronker for his lasting impact on the industry.

The official induction ceremony is set to take place on November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. For the second year in a row, the event will be streamed live on Disney+, with a special highlights presentation airing later on ABC and becoming available on Hulu.

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording, and this year's class reflects a cross-generational blend of innovation, influence, and staying power. From the boundary-pushing sounds of Outkast to the feminist pop anthems of Cyndi Lauper and the raw energy of The White Stripes, the 2025 Hall of Fame class exemplifies the broad and evolving spirit of rock and roll.