Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomes Cyndi Lauper, Outkast and more to 2025 class
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 inductees announced (Photo: Getty Images)
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has revealed its 2025 lineup, adding legendary performers like Cyndi Lauper and Outkast to its prestigious ranks.
This year's Hall of Fame welcomes a new wave of icons
The 2025 class features seven artists, making headlines for its mix of classic rock legends and trailblazers from other genres. Among those joining the Hall are:
1. Bad Company
Bad Company is a British hard rock and blues rock supergroup formed in 1973. In the 1970s, they became global stars with hits like "Bad Company" and "Feel Like Makin' Love."
Bad Company in 1976: Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs (Photo: Wikipedia)
2. Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker is an American singer and dancer, best known for making the Twist a worldwide dance craze with his 1960 hit "The Twist." He became an icon of early rock and roll, popularizing dance styles like the Pony and the Limbo.
Chubby Checker, an American singer and dancer (Photo: Wikipedia)
3. Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker was a British blues and rock singer known for his powerful, raspy baritone voice and soulful performances. He achieved worldwide fame with hits like "You Are So Beautiful," "Unchain My Heart," and the Oscar-winning duet "Up Where We Belong."
Joe Cocker, British blues-rock icon known for his soulful, raspy voice and classic hits (Photo: Wikipedia)
4. Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, recognized as a pop icon for her colorful style and distinctive voice. She rose to global fame in the 1980s with hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time," and has sold over 50 million records worldwide.
Cyndi Lauper, pop icon known for her unique style and 1980s hits (Photo: Wikipedia)
5. Outkast
Outkast is an iconic American hip-hop duo from Atlanta, formed by André 3000 and Big Boi. Known for blending funk, jazz, and psychedelic sounds, they became global stars in the late 1990s and 2000s with hits like "Hey Ya!" and multiple Grammy Awards, helping define Southern hip-hop.
Outkast, Atlanta hip-hop duo, innovators with Grammy-winning hits (Photo: Wikipedia)
6. Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band from Seattle, formed in 1984 and regarded as pioneers of the grunge movement. With hits like "Black Hole Sun" and "Spoonman," they became one of the most influential bands of the 1990s and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
Soundgarden, Seattle grunge pioneers with '90s hits like "Black Hole Sun" (Photo: Wikipedia)
7. The White Stripes
The White Stripes were an American rock duo from Detroit, formed by Jack White and Meg White in 1997. Known for their raw garage rock sound and iconic hit "Seven Nation Army," they became one of the most influential bands of the 2000s, winning multiple Grammy Awards.
The White Stripes, Detroit rock duo famous for "Seven Nation Army" (Photo: Wikipedia)
As noted in the official announcement, Lauper stands out as the only female solo artist among this year's inductees.
"She's among the seven new inductees, whittled from a list of 14 announced earlier this year, who spotlight a more conventional rock lineup – excepting Atlanta hip-hop innovators Outkast – than the genre diverse classes of recent years," the report highlights.
While these seven acts secured their place in history, several high-profile nominees did not make the final cut.
The Black Crowes, Billy Idol, Maná, Phish, Mariah Carey, Oasis, and Joy Division/New Order were among those left out this year despite strong fan support and first-time nominations for several of them.
Fan favorites, special honors, and the road to induction
The fan vote saw veteran band Phish take the top spot with nearly 330,000 votes, though, as history shows, winning the fan vote doesn't guarantee a spot in the Hall.
"Phish are only the second artist since the Dave Matthews Band in 2020 to earn fan kudos but not induction the same year," the story notes, showing that fan enthusiasm is just one piece of the selection process.
In addition to the main performer inductees, the Hall will honor Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon with the Musical Influence Award.
Musical Excellence honors go to Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye, while Lenny Waronker is set to receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for his legendary impact as a producer.
The induction ceremony will air live November 8 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Disney+, with a replay on Hulu the following day.
Sources: Wikipedia, NBC News, USA Today.
