The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held on Saturday, November 8, at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, celebrated a multigenerational lineup of artists whose influence spans decades and genres. The four-and-a-half-hour event, streamed live on Disney+, brought together rap icons, rock pioneers, and pop trailblazers for the Hall’s 40th annual celebration, as reported by Billboard and AP on November 9, 2025.This year’s performer inductees included Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Bad Company, The White Stripes, Salt-N-Pepa, Joe Cocker, Chubby Checker, and Warren Zevon. Additional honorees recognized for musical excellence and influence included Carole Kaye, Thom Bell, and Nicky Hopkins, while Lenny Waronker received the Ahmet Ertegun Award for industry contributions. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostStandout inductees and performances at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonyAmong the night’s most talked-about moments was Outkast’s induction, led by actor and musician Donald Glover, followed by a high-energy medley featuring Big Boi, Janelle Monáe, Doja Cat, JID, and Tyler, the Creator. While André 3000 joined Big Boi onstage for the acceptance speech, he did not perform, leaving fans with a bittersweet dose of nostalgia.Cyndi Lauper, inducted by rising pop star Chappell Roan, delivered one of the evening’s most powerful moments. Performing True Colors she reportedly paused mid-song to raise her fist in silent solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community before being joined by RAYE, Avril Lavigne, and Salt-N-Pepa to perform Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Lauper’s speech, in which she thanked “the women who came before and those who will stand on my shoulders,” drew a standing ovation as reported by Billboard.Rock & Roll Hall of Fame @rockhallLINK"My shoulders are broad enough to have the women who come after me stand on mine." — Cyndi Lauper accepts her 2025 Rock Hall Induction and gives thanks to all the women who came before her. #RockHall2025According to Billboard, Soundgarden’s tribute to the late Chris Cornell was deeply emotional. Inducted by Jim Carrey, the band performed Rusty Cage with Taylor Momsen and Black Hole Sun with Brandi Carlile. Cornell’s daughter Toni Cornell also joined the performance.More about the honors and heartfelt tributes at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony also spotlighted artists who left an indelible mark on music history. Bryan Adams inducted the late Joe Cocker, leading an all-star ensemble featuring Teddy Swims, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Tedeschi Trucks Band in a performance of With a Little Help From My Friends.Mick Fleetwood introduced Bad Company, whose tribute performance included Nancy Wilson of Heart and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.Posthumous honorees such as Warren Zevon, Thom Bell, and Nicky Hopkins were remembered through video tributes. David Letterman, who inducted Zevon, shared an emotional story about the blue guitar Zevon gave him during his final Late Night appearance, which The Killers’ guitarist Dave Keuning played onstage during Lawyers, Guns and Money.The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony also paid tribute to Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, both of whom passed away earlier this year. Elton John performed a moving rendition of God Only Knows in Wilson’s memory, while Stevie Wonder, Beck, and Jennifer Hudson celebrated Stone’s funk legacy with a medley.The show closed fittingly with Cocker’s anthem With a Little Help From My Friends, as Lauper, Adams, and Chris Robinson joined onstage for an emotional group finale. This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame marked not only its 40th anniversary but also one of its most stylistically diverse classes. The inductees reportedly represented nearly seven decades of evolution in modern music.