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Written by: E. George
Published April 30, 2025 @ 1:20 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2025 selection of inductees, recognizing a diverse group of performers and industry figures who have shaped the sound and direction of popular music across multiple decades. This year’s group includes 13 honorees, a mix of first-time nominees, long-overlooked pioneers, and influential figures selected by the Hall’s board outside of the traditional ballot process.
Seven performers earned their spots through the general voting process conducted by more than 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Those named include pop innovator Cyndi Lauper, Atlanta’s genre-blending duo Outkast, garage rock revivalists the White Stripes, rockers Bad Company, grunge trailblazers Soundgarden, soulful rock vocalist Joe Cocker, and early rock icon Chubby Checker.
Checker’s induction marks the resolution of one of the Hall’s longest-standing controversies. Despite his massive cultural impact with the dance craze “The Twist” in the early 1960s, he had not even been nominated prior to this year. His selection now corrects what many fans and historians considered a glaring oversight.
Among the notable additions via the Hall’s special categories are hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa and cult favorite Warren Zevon, both selected under the Musical Influence category. Zevon, widely admired for his lyrical wit and dark humor, had appeared on the Hall’s regular ballot only once before. Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap group to achieve mainstream success, had never previously been nominated.
Three other musicians received recognition for their exceptional careers through the Musical Excellence Award. Producer Thom Bell, a key figure in developing the Philadelphia soul sound; pianist Nicky Hopkins, who contributed to recordings by the Rolling Stones and other major rock acts; and bassist Carol Kaye, one of the most prolific and versatile session musicians in American music history, were all honored in this category.
The Ahmet Ertegun Award, given to non-performers for their influence on the music industry, will go to veteran executive Lenny Waronker. His decades-long career at Warner Bros. Records helped foster the growth of acts across genres, known for championing artistic freedom and innovative talent.
This year’s ballot also saw several high-profile artists miss the cut. Mariah Carey, Oasis, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, and Maná were all nominated but ultimately not inducted. Carey’s omission is particularly notable, as she remains one of the best-selling artists of all time and has now been passed over twice by Hall voters. Despite winning the fan vote, Phish also failed to secure enough support—a rare outcome under the current system.
The Hall’s decision to induct both Lauper and Salt-N-Pepa comes at a time when scrutiny over gender representation in the institution remains a topic of public conversation. Lauper was the only woman on this year’s main ballot.
The 2025 induction ceremony is scheduled for November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. As in recent years, the event will be streamed live on Disney+ and made available on Hulu the following day. A condensed special will later air on ABC, with its broadcast date still to be announced.
The White Stripes’ induction raises questions about a possible reunion between Jack and Meg White, who have not performed together since their 2011 split. Likewise, Soundgarden’s appearance will draw attention to how the band plans to honor late frontman Chris Cornell during the ceremony.
From rock and rap to soul and session musicianship, this year’s Hall of Fame class reflects the evolving scope of what defines rock and roll, continuing the Hall’s effort to expand its lens and embrace a broader musical legacy.
2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
Performer Category:
- Bad Company
- Chubby Checker
- Joe Cocker
- Cyndi Lauper
- Outkast
- Soundgarden
- The White Stripes
Musical Influence Award:
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Warren Zevon
Musical Excellence Award:
- Thom Bell
- Nicky Hopkins
- Carol Kaye
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
- Lenny Waronker