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After months of buzz, bets, and fan-fueled debate, the countdown is on: the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place next week, and it’s already one of the most anticipated nights in music. This year’s show celebrates the artists who broke rules, blurred genres, and reshaped pop culture itself. From Outkast to Cyndi Lauper, the inductees reflect how far the spirit of rock and roll has traveled—and how it still refuses to stay in one lane. Here’s everything to know before the lights go up in Los Angeles. When And Where To Watch The 40th annual ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Fans can stream it live on Disney+ beginning at 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST, with the ceremony remaining available for streaming afterward. A primetime special featuring exclusive performances and standout moments will air on ABC on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with next-day availability on Hulu starting January 2. It's the second year the show has gone live on Disney's platforms, following last year's successful rollout that brought the event to a wider, younger audience. This year's ceremony also marks a symbolic return to Hollywood, a city whose influence on rock and pop culture has been impossible to ignore for decades. Expect a mix of nostalgia, reinvention, and cross-genre collaboration that reflects how much the Rock Hall has evolved since its early years. The 2025 Inductees This year's class highlights artists who have shaped popular music from the 1960s to the 2000s. The Performer category includes Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes—an unusually diverse group that spans classic rock, soul, pop, hip-hop, and alternative. It's a well-balanced lineup: OutKast brings a crucial Southern rap legacy into the fold, while Soundgarden and The White Stripes carry the torch for alternative rock's raw edge. Lauper's long-overdue induction cements her as one of pop's most fearless innovators, and Bad Company's entry finally recognizes their role in defining arena rock. Additional honorees include Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon (Musical Influence Award), Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye (Musical Excellence Award), and Lenny Waronker (Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers). The spread of genres represented here continues the Hall's recent efforts to broaden its view of "rock" to include everything from R&B to hip-hop to new wave. Presenters & Performers As always, the presenters' list is stacked with star power. The confirmed lineup includes Elton John, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Questlove, Twenty One Pilots, Missy Elliott, Beck, Brandi Carlile, Iggy Pop, Flea, and David Letterman. More recent additions include Chappell Roan, The Killers, Jim Carrey, Janelle Monáe, Bryan Adams, Avril Lavigne, Donald Glover, En Vogue, Nancy Wilson, Joe Perry, Jerry Cantrell (Soundgarden), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), and rising stars like Teddy Swims and RAYE. The Hall of Fame ceremony has become known for its unforgettable collaborations, and 2025's lineup seems built for viral moments. Expect unexpected pairings: perhaps Doja Cat channeling Lauper, or Rodrigo trading verses with Salt-N-Pepa. Twenty One Pilots has already confirmed they'll perform "Seven Nation Army" in tribute to The White Stripes. These cross-genre performances have become the lifeblood of the ceremony, offering a rare intersection between heritage acts and the next wave of artists inspired by them. Why This Year Matters More than ever, the Rock Hall is rewriting its own story. The 2025 class stands out for its range and inclusivity, proving that rock & roll is not confined to guitars and leather jackets—it’s a spirit that runs through every era and genre. Outkast’s induction marks a defining moment for hip-hop’s place in the rock conversation, while the recognition of Carol Kaye and Thom Bell finally gives due credit to the behind-the-scenes architects of modern pop and soul. The Disney+ partnership is a prudent move. If the Hall wants to reach new audiences, it has to meet them where they live—and this year, it finally does. By bringing the show to streaming, the institution acknowledges how music is actually consumed today: through playlists, recommendations, and shared moments online. While reserving rock’s past is at its core, connecting its lineage to how people discover and celebrate sound now galvanizes its future.
