Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025: Who's Inducting Who & How to Watch

The 40th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is almost here, bringing together music legends and today's hottest stars for an unforgettable night in Los Angeles. Get ready to celebrate an incredible new class of inductees!

TL;DR: The Main Hits for the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is happening live on November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
You can catch all the action live on Disney+ (starting 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT), with a special edited version airing on ABC on New Year's Day and streaming on Hulu the next day.
Expect a massive lineup of A-list presenters and performers, including Chappell Roan inducting Cyndi Lauper, and many more stars honoring this year's incredible inductees like Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes.

Get Ready for the Ultimate Music Celebration: The 2025 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony

Music fans, mark your calendars! The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is just around the corner, promising a star-studded evening honoring the artists who've shaped our soundscapes. This year's milestone 40th annual event is set to take place on Friday, November 8, 2025, at the iconic Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.

It's always a massive deal when the Rock Hall welcomes its newest members, and this year is no exception. We're talking about a night filled with emotional speeches, electrifying performances, and some truly unexpected collaborations. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman, John Sykes, perfectly summed it up, saying, "Each year the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony brings together the most influential artists in music today to honor their heroes who have inspired their music and careers. These artists come from around the world to create lifetime musical moments that will live on forever." And from the looks of the guest list, we're definitely in for some of those lifetime moments!

Meet the Incredible Artists Joining the Rock Hall Class of 2025

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This year's class is a fantastic mix of genres and generations, truly reflecting the diverse spirit of rock & roll. Let's dive into who's officially getting inducted across the various prestigious categories:

Performer Category Inductees Deserving Their Place in History

Bad Company: The legendary rock supergroup known for their powerful blues-rock anthems.
Chubby Checker: The undisputed "King of the Twist," whose music got the whole world dancing.
Joe Cocker: The soulful British singer whose gritty voice left an indelible mark on rock and blues.
Cyndi Lauper: A true pop icon, known for her vibrant personality, distinctive voice, and trailblazing spirit.
Outkast: The groundbreaking hip-hop duo that redefined sound and style with their innovative music.
Soundgarden: Seattle grunge pioneers who blended heavy rock with raw emotion, leaving a lasting legacy.
The White Stripes: The influential rock duo who stripped rock down to its essence, creating a unique and powerful sound.

Musical Influence Award Recipients Shaping the Soundscape

These artists are honored for their profound impact on others, inspiring countless musicians across the industry:

Salt-N-Pepa: The iconic female hip-hop trio who broke barriers and empowered generations with their infectious tracks.
Warren Zevon: The masterful singer-songwriter known for his darkly humorous and poignant lyrics.

Musical Excellence Awards for Unsung Heroes and Master Craftsmen

This category celebrates musicians, songwriters, and producers who've demonstrated unparalleled skill and creativity:

Thom Bell: A Philly soul songwriter-producer who crafted countless hits.
Nicky Hopkins: The legendary keyboardist who lent his talents to some of rock's biggest names.
Carol Kaye: The pioneering Wrecking Crew bassist whose work is on hundreds of classic recordings.

Ahmet Ertegun Award Honoree for Industry Vision and Leadership

This award recognizes non-performing industry professionals who've had a major influence on rock & roll:

Lenny Waronker: The former Warner Bros Records president, celebrated for his keen ear and artist development.

A Massive Roster of Stars Joining the 40th Rock Hall Celebration

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The Rock Hall ceremony is renowned for bringing together an incredible array of talent, and this year's lineup of presenters and performers is truly staggering. They're all set to take the stage to honor, perform tributes, and celebrate the new inductees. Here's a look at the confirmed guests:

Newly Announced Special Guests Bringing More Firepower

Avril Lavigne
Bryan Adams
Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino)
En Vogue
Feist
Gina Schock (of The Go-Go's)
Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor
Janelle Monáe
Jerry Cantrell (of Alice in Chains)
Jim Carrey
Joe Perry (of Aerosmith)
Lisa Coleman
Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac)
Mike McCready (of Pearl Jam)
Nancy Wilson (of Heart)
Nathaniel Rateliff
Tedeschi Trucks Band

Anticipated Moments and Heartfelt Tributes We Can't Wait to See

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While the full list of who's inducting whom (beyond a couple of key announcements) and who's performing what hasn't been completely revealed, we can already guess at some truly special moments. The Rock Hall is known for creating unique, once-in-a-lifetime musical collaborations and emotional tributes.

Chappell Roan and Cyndi Lauper: A Generational Passing of the Torch

One of the most exciting confirmed pairings is the sensational Chappell Roan inducting the legendary Cyndi Lauper. This is a match made in pop heaven! Roan herself shared her admiration, saying:

"She has inspired me with her fashion, her hair, of course, her makeup, her music. I actually auditioned with ‘True Colors’ for America’s Got Talent when I was 13. I didn’t make it, but the song is still incredible."

— Chappell Roan

Lauper, for her part, has also expressed mutual admiration for Roan, reacting to hearing her for the first time in a 2024 documentary: "Such dusky, yearning keyboard pop. Wow, born in 1998, she’s even younger than my son! And that hair! That kind of reminds me of what I did on the blues record, Memphis Blues…. Just incredible!” This promises to be a truly symmetrical moment, highlighting how artists continue to inspire across decades.

More Connections and Speculated Pairings for the Big Night

David Letterman & Warren Zevon: It's a pretty safe bet that Letterman will be inducting his dear friend and frequent talk show guest, the late Warren Zevon, for his Musical Influence Award. Their long-standing friendship makes this an anticipated and deeply personal moment.
Soundgarden Supergroup: With grunge legends like Nancy Wilson (Heart), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), and Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) on the guest list, it's highly speculated that they'll be involved in Soundgarden's induction. Nancy Wilson, hailing from the Pacific Northwest and a mentor to many grunge bands, would be a perfect fit to honor the band. We might even see Jim Carrey involved, given his past SNL appearance with Soundgarden and Chris Cornell's gift of a guitar to the comedian!
Outkast & Donald Glover: Donald Glover, who opened for OutKast during their final tour in 2014, is a strong candidate to honor the iconic hip-hop duo.
The White Stripes & Gina Schock: Gina Schock of The Go-Go's, a fellow female drummer, could be the perfect choice to induct Meg White and The White Stripes.
Avril Lavigne & Chubby Checker: While less obvious, some are jokingly guessing Avril Lavigne might debut a pop-punk take on "The Twist" to honor Chubby Checker. You never know what surprises the Rock Hall has in store!

Before the Big Show: A Sneak Peek at the Inductees' Legacy

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Can't wait until November 8th? You can get a head start on the celebration! The 2025 Inductee Exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is opening its doors to the public on October 31st. This is your chance to see incredible artifacts up close that tell the story of this year's class, including:

Cyndi Lauper's handwritten lyrics to "Time After Time"
The distinctive outfits worn by Meg White and Jack White on the cover of The White Stripes' album Icky Thump
A 1979 Gibson Les Paul electric guitar played by the late Chris Cornell of Soundgarden
Outfits worn by the members of Outkast, including the unforgettable ensemble Andre 3000 sported in the "Hey Ya!" music video

And if you're a fan of "Dancing with the Stars," keep an eye out for a special "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night" episode airing on Tuesday, November 4th, honoring the music and legacy of both past and present Rock Hall inductees.

How to Catch the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Whether you want to witness the magic live or catch the highlights later, you have several options to tune into this year's ceremony:

Live Stream: The full induction ceremony will stream live, coast-to-coast, on Disney+ on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Make sure to tune in at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. It will also be available to stream on Disney+ following the live event.
Primetime Special: For those who prefer to watch highlights and standout moments on traditional TV, ABC will air a special primetime version of the ceremony on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CST.
Next-Day Streaming: The ABC primetime special will be available to stream the very next day on Hulu, starting January 2, 2026.
Attend In Person: If you're in the Los Angeles area and want to experience the energy firsthand, tickets for the 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are available for purchase via AXS.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 Rock Hall Ceremony

When exactly is the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony?

The main ceremony takes place on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Where can I watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

You can watch the full ceremony live on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on November 8th. An edited version will air on ABC on January 1, 2026, and then stream on Hulu the next day.

Who are the major inductees for the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

This year's performers include Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker. Plus, Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon for Musical Influence, and Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, Carol Kaye for Musical Excellence, and Lenny Waronker for the Ahmet Ertegun Award.