Inside the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 proves one thing loud and clear, the spirit of rock is alive, unfiltered, and still roaring through generations. This year’s inductees stretch from the blues-soaked grit of Bad Company to the raw garage thunder of The White Stripes and the grunge-soaked depth of Soundgarden. It’s a lineup that celebrates the riffs, rebellion, and reinvention that make rock music immortal.

The Lineup That Rocks Generations

The Performer category this year reads like a festival lineup that could sell out any arena: Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, and Chubby Checker. It’s a mix that spans six decades of music, from Checker’s early dance craze in the ‘60s to Jack White’s tube-driven blues revival in the 2000s.

Soundgarden: The Grunge Architects

Soundgarden’s induction feels long overdue. The band that helped launch grunge into the mainstream with Superunknown and Black Hole Sun finally gets its due. Chris Cornell’s voice could shake mountains, and Kim Thayil’s guitar work reshaped the definition of heavy. They weren’t just part of the Seattle sound, they were architects of it.

The White Stripes: Minimalism Meets Mayhe

Then there’s The White Stripes. Jack and Meg White turned minimalism into a movement. Two people, one guitar, one drum kit, and somehow they sounded bigger than a five-piece. Songs like Seven Nation Army didn’t just become riffs, they became anthems, chanted in stadiums worldwide. Their inclusion marks a shift for the Hall, recognizing that rock’s 2000s revival still hits hard two decades later.

Bad Company: The Classic Rock Titans

Bad Company also finally gets their moment in the spotlight. Formed in the mid-‘70s by members of Free, Mott the Hoople, and King Crimson, their name said it all, unapologetic, loud, and unforgettable. Tracks like Can’t Get Enough and Feel Like Makin’ Love are pure arena gold, the kind of riffs that belong on every bar jukebox and road trip playlist.

Joe Cocker: Soul, Smoke, and Raw Emotion

The bluesy soul of Joe Cocker adds another layer to this year’s class. His raspy voice and emotional delivery turned covers into something completely his own, just listen to his version of With a Little Help from My Friends from Woodstock and tell me it doesn’t still give you chills.

Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, and the Broader Bea

While this year’s lineup leans heavy on rock, it’s also refreshingly inclusive. Cyndi Lauper’s induction celebrates a pop-rock icon whose individuality kicked down doors for countless artists who followed. OutKast’s addition reminds us that rebellion and rhythm are universal, whether it’s delivered through a guitar riff or a beat. Even Chubby Checker, the man who started a dance craze with The Twist, shows that the energy and joy of rock & roll never go out of style.

Ceremony Details

The 2025 ceremony is set for November 8th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, streaming live on Disney+ and later airing on ABC and Hulu. It’s one of the most diverse and guitar-friendly classes the Hall has seen in years, a sign that rock’s story isn’t finished, it’s just tuning up for the next verse.

Keep Riffing.