Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025: Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, The White Stripes inducted
Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden and The White Stripes were among those inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 over the weekend.
The ceremony, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, also saw Joe Cocker, Warren Zevon, Salt-N-Pepa and Outkast, among others, inducted into rock history on Saturday.
Lauper was introduced by Chappell Roan in a speech paying tribute to her musical influence and activism work in the LGBTQ+ community.
"Cyndi embodies every quality of an artist that I admire," the "Good Luck, Babe!" singer said. "She's a born performer and a revolutionary songwriter, a forever fashion icon, and a fierce advocate and ally."
Lauper followed up the speech with a three-song set.
Soundgarden members guitarist Kim Thayil, drummer Matt Cameron and bassists Ben Shepherd and Hiro Yamamoto were on hand to accept the honor on behalf of the band and late frontman Chris Cornell, who died in 2017.
Actor Jim Carrey did the honors of enshrining the grunge titans, noting that they were the musical guests when he hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 1996.
The '70s supergroup Bad Company, made up of Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs and Boz Burrell, was also inducted, with Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood welcoming them into the prestigious music institution.
Also on Saturday, Donald Glover inducted Outkast into the Rock Hall and credited the duo for teaching him that “you don’t have to scream, you don’t have to yell. You just have to be undeniable.”
André 3000 shed tears in an acceptance speech as he reflected on Outkast's success. “Great things start in little rooms," he said.
The full list of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees this year included Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes for performers.
Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon were inducted for the Musical Influence category.
Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye were inducted for Musical Excellence, and Lenny Waronker received the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Highlights from the 2025 Rock Hall induction ceremony will air Jan. 1 on ABC.
