Salt-N-Pepa, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, White Stripes being inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles vibrated with the energy of music history on November 8, 2025, as a diverse pantheon of artists, including Salt-N-Pepa, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, and The White Stripes, were formally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The star-studded ceremony, updated at 11:53 PM EST, celebrated trailblazers who redefined genres, broke barriers, and left an indelible mark on popular culture, weaving together poignant tributes, electrifying performances, and powerful messages of resilience and influence.
The night kicked off with an explosive tribute to the late funk pioneer Sly Stone, led by none other than Stevie Wonder. Accompanied by a supergroup featuring Questlove, Leon Thomas, Maxwell, Beck, and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wonder unleashed a funky, flashy medley of Sly and the Family Stone hits. "Dance to the Music," "Everyday People," and "Thank You" had the crowd on its feet, before Jennifer Hudson joined the ensemble, her powerful wail elevating "Higher" to new emotional heights. Stone, a Hall of Fame inductee since 1993, had passed away in June, making this a heartfelt homage to his groundbreaking legacy of integrating funk, rock, and soul, and his profound influence on music’s landscape. A separate tribute for Brian Wilson, who died two days after Stone, was also planned, with Elton John slated to honor the Beach Boys’ visionary.
The formal inductions began with Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, who lauded Bad Company as "classic rock legends" and "one of the first super groups." He emphasized that beyond their supergroup status, they were "four great musicians who came together for the love of music." Unfortunately, Paul Rodgers was unable to attend due to health issues, and Mick Ralphs had passed earlier in the year. Drummer Simon Kirke stood as the sole original member on stage, accepting the honor with humility. An ad hoc supergroup filled the performance void, with Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson belting out "Feel Like Makin’ Love," joined by Nancy Wilson of Heart and Joe Perry of Aerosmith on guitars. Bryan Adams then took the stage to deliver a rousing rendition of "Can’t Get Enough." Kirke, admitting he’d "never played in a tuxedo before," grew emotional as he thanked Ralphs’ wife Susie, acknowledging the deep bonds within the rock community.
Salt-N-Pepa ignited the Peacock Theater with an electrifying performance, instantly transporting the audience back to the late ’80s and ’90s. Decked in the iconic multicolored leather jackets from their "Push It" video, Cheryl "Salt" James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and DJ Spinderella had the crowd on its feet with a romping rendition of their 1987 breakthrough hit. Accepting the musical influence award, Salt delivered a rousing speech, dedicating the moment to "every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn’t." She bravely addressed their ongoing fight to reclaim their master recordings from Universal Music Group, declaring, "The industry still doesn’t want to play fair, Salt-N-Pepa have never been afraid of a fight." Their medley was a tour de force, opening with the infectious "Shoop," sliding into "Let’s Talk About Sex," and culminating in a joint performance of "What a Man" with the legendary En Vogue. "Push It" served as the explosive finale, cementing their status as hip-hop pioneers. Spinderella’s induction was particularly historic, making her the first female DJ to enter the Hall. Missy Elliott, in her induction speech, powerfully articulated their impact: "The female rappers had to step to the mic and show that they could go toe to toe with the guys. And Salt, Pepa and Spinderella did it." Their induction celebrated not just their hit-making prowess but their enduring legacy in empowering women in music and challenging industry norms.
The induction of Outkast brought a mix of anticipation and nostalgia. While fans had hoped for their first joint performance since 2016, Big Boi and André 3000 appeared together on stage, surrounded by a celebratory crew of friends and collaborators. After a playful rock-paper-scissors game to decide who would speak first, André 3000 delivered a long, rambling, and often hilarious speech. He famously quipped, "I’m freestylin’ y’all!" before choking back tears as he reminisced about their humble beginnings in an Atlanta basement "dungeon" in the early 1990s, concluding profoundly, "Great things start in little rooms." Though André opted not to perform, Big Boi, sporting shorts and a fur coat, led an energetic express tour through the Atlanta duo’s genre-bending discography. He was joined by a formidable lineup of guests, including Tyler the Creator, JID, and Killer Mike. Janelle Monáe brought her vibrant energy to "Hey Ya," shaking through the anthem, while Doja Cat delivered a sly and soulful take on "Ms. Jackson." Donald Glover, in his eloquent induction speech, lauded Outkast as "two visionaries who turned their differences into a dynasty," recognizing their innovative sound that fused funk, soul, and Southern hip-hop into a truly unique artistic statement.
Emotions ran deep during Soundgarden’s segment of the night, particularly during the tribute to their iconic frontman, Chris Cornell, who tragically died by suicide in 2017. Actor and self-proclaimed Soundgarden super-fan Jim Carrey delivered a profoundly moving induction speech, visibly fighting back tears as he spoke of Cornell. "When you looked into his eyes, it’s like eternity was staring back," Carrey said, adding, "For all time, his voice will continue to light up the ether like a Tesla coil." Each of Cornell’s bandmates, foundational figures in the Seattle grunge scene, offered their own tearful tributes. Cornell’s daughter, Lilian, spoke eloquently on his behalf, while her sister, Toni, delivered a quiet, poignant rendition of his song "Fell on Black Days." Lilian expressed her joy that "he got to make music with his friends." The musical tribute featured powerful vocalists Taylor Momsen (who co-starred with Carrey in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas") and Brandi Carlile, who showcased serious vocal power with their versions of Cornell’s mighty wail, backed by his bandmates on "Rusty Cage" and "Black Hole Sun." Bassist Hiro Yamamoto injected a moment of contemporary political reflection, thanking his parents "whose story is American citizens who are rounded up and placed into prison camps just for being Japanese during World War II." He concluded, to some of the night’s biggest cheers, "Well that affected my life greatly, and it really echoes strongly today. Let’s not add another story like this to our history."
The White Stripes’ induction, while missing drummer Meg White, was nonetheless a highlight of the evening. Meg White, who has maintained an almost entirely private life since the band’s dissolution in 2011, did not attend the ceremony. However, her creative spirit was present, as Jack White revealed she helped him write the heartfelt speech he delivered while impeccably dressed in the band’s signature red and white. The performances were a testament to the duo’s raw power and enduring appeal. Twenty One Pilots brought the house down with a stadium-shaking rendition of "Seven Nation Army," while Olivia Rodrigo and Feist delivered an intimate, mid-audience acoustic version of "We’re Gonna Be Friends." Fellow Detroit rock legend Iggy Pop, in his induction speech, began by leading the crowd in a chorus of "Seven Nation Army" before reminiscing about his first impressions of the duo: "Cute kids, they’re gonna go places. And they did." Jack White, nearly brought to tears several times, paid homage to the power of duos across culture, calling one-on-one collaboration "the most beautiful thing you can have as an artist and musician." He spoke movingly, in an Adam-and-Eve-like tale, of "the boy and the girl" who created magic together, "knowing that they have shared and made another person feel something," emphasizing the profound, almost mystical connection that defined their singular sound.
The evening also saw Cyndi Lauper inducted, with rising star Chappell Roan set to present the honor. Lauper’s induction celebrated her groundbreaking career, marked by vibrant self-expression, vocal prowess, and a string of iconic hits that transcended pop and new wave, establishing her as a fearless advocate for individuality and a feminist icon.
The late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon was inducted by his longtime friend and superfan, David Letterman, who made Zevon a regular and beloved guest on his NBC late-night show. Letterman’s deep personal connection was evident, declaring, "Warren Zevon is in my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Actually his own wing." A poignant clip from Zevon’s final appearance on Letterman’s show in 2002, as he was dying of cancer, was shown. Zevon’s profound advice – "Enjoy every sandwich" – resonated deeply. Letterman grew tearful as he showed the crowd a guitar Zevon had given him that very night. Bruce Springsteen, in a recorded tribute, affirmed Zevon’s lasting impact: "He’s never going away. He’s got a body of work that’s as good as anybody’s." Letterman playfully outlined Zevon’s cleverly emotional tunes, culminating in "songs about werewolves" to a big laugh, referencing his biggest and most unlikely hit, 1978’s "Werewolves of London." The Killers then took the stage, delivering a powerful performance of Zevon’s second-biggest hit, "Lawyers, Guns and Money," honoring the unique lyrical genius and dark humor of an artist whose cult status has steadily grown into widespread critical acclaim.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a testament to the ever-expanding definition of rock and roll, celebrating hip-hop innovators, grunge legends, garage rock revivalists, funk architects, and classic rock stalwarts. It was a night filled with emotional tributes, powerful performances, and speeches that underscored the profound impact of music and the artists who dare to push its boundaries.
