Outkast, Cyndi Lauper Lead 2025 Rock Hall Inductees/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa, and the White Stripes headline the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The star-studded ceremony includes performances, surprise guest appearances, and tributes from icons like Elton John and Donald Glover. The event streams live on Disney+ and airs on ABC in January.
Rock Hall 2025 Induction Quick Looks
- Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa among inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- Ceremony held at LA’s Peacock Theater, part of rotating location schedule.
- Donald Glover to induct Outkast, Chappell Roan and Avril Lavigne will celebrate Lauper.
- Elton John pays tribute to Brian Wilson, who passed earlier this year.
- Event streams live on Disney+, available on Hulu Sunday, ABC telecast airs Jan. 1.
- Other inductees include Soundgarden, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker.
- Fans eager for potential reunions, especially for Outkast and the White Stripes.
- Surprise guests expected, including Missy Elliott, Olivia Rodrigo, and Twenty One Pilots.
- Tributes span every decade from 1950s to 2000s, showcasing genre diversity.
- Rock Hall honors artists, producers, and session musicians, including Carole Kaye and Thom Bell.
Deep Look
Outkast, Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa Among 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will celebrate a powerhouse lineup of musical icons across generations and genres — from hip-hop trailblazers Outkast to pop pioneer Cyndi Lauper, and rap legends Salt-N-Pepa to alt-rock duo the White Stripes.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the star-studded ceremony brings together performers, presenters, and surprise guests in a tribute to music’s most influential figures. It marks a return to LA as part of a three-city rotation that includes Cleveland and New York.
High-Profile Inductees and Presenters
Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) will present Outkast, while pop star Chappell Roan teams up with Avril Lavigne to honor Cyndi Lauper. Elton John is also scheduled to perform in memory of Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, who passed away earlier this year.
Missy Elliott, Olivia Rodrigo, and Twenty One Pilots are also on the guest list — though their roles remain under wraps, adding to the buzz surrounding the annual night of surprises. Fans are especially hopeful for performances from reclusive or retired inductees, including the elusive Outkast and the dormant White Stripes.
How to Watch the Rock Hall Induction Ceremony
- Live stream: Available on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
- On-demand: Streams on Hulu starting Sunday
- TV broadcast: ABC will air an edited version on January 1
This new hybrid approach to coverage expands access for fans nationwide, building on the success of Disney’s streaming partnership since 2023.
Full List of 2025 Rock Hall Inductees & Defining Songs
Performer Category:
- Outkast – Rap duo famous for genre-bending hits
Notable Songs: “Hey Ya,” “Ms. Jackson,” “Roses” - Cyndi Lauper – Pop icon and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights
Notable Songs: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “True Colors” - Salt-N-Pepa – Pioneering all-female rap group
Notable Songs: “Push It,” “Shoop,” “Let’s Talk About Sex” - The White Stripes – Raw rock revivalists of the early 2000s
Notable Songs: “Seven Nation Army,” “Fell in Love with a Girl,” “Doorbell” - Soundgarden – Grunge pioneers from Seattle
Notable Songs: “Black Hole Sun,” “Outshined,” “Fell on Black Days” - Bad Company – Classic rock staples from the 1970s
Notable Songs: “Bad Company,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Can’t Get Enough” - Joe Cocker – Soulful English vocalist
Notable Songs: “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “You Are So Beautiful” - Chubby Checker – Dance craze innovator of the 1950s
Notable Songs: “The Twist,” “Let’s Twist Again,” “Limbo Rock” - Warren Zevon – Cult favorite known for his biting lyrics
Notable Songs: “Werewolves of London,” “Keep Me in Your Heart”
Musical Excellence and Influence:
- Thom Bell – Architect of Philadelphia soul
Notable Songs Produced: “The Rubberband Man,” “La-La Means I Love You” - Carole Kaye – Legendary bassist for countless classic tracks
Notable Contributions: “Good Vibrations,” “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” - Nicky Hopkins – Session keyboardist for rock’s biggest acts
Key Tracks: “Sympathy for the Devil,” “You Are So Beautiful,” “Revolution” - Lenny Waronker – Executive and producer who shaped decades of music
Artists Signed/Produced: Prince, R.E.M., Rickie Lee Jones
What to Expect
The ceremony is known for surprise duets, one-night-only reunions, and emotional speeches that trace decades of influence. Whether it’s Outkast returning to the stage, or Avril Lavigne honoring Lauper with a powerful rendition of “Time After Time,” the event promises memorable moments that span styles and generations.
Fans and critics alike will be watching to see if artists like the White Stripes — inactive for years — will reunite to perform or appear together. Meanwhile, tributes to late legends like Joe Cocker, Thom Bell, and Nicky Hopkins will add depth and history to the night.
The Rock Hall continues to evolve, with the 2025 class reflecting a broader spectrum of sounds, voices, and cultural impact than ever before.
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