
Chubby Checker, known for his 1960 hit “The Twist,” has been eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since its inaugural class in 1986, yet he had never been nominated until this year. After years of being overlooked, he has been inducted on his first ballot opportunity.
Joining him as first-time nominees are Bad Company, Joe Cocker, and Outkast, alongside Cyndi Lauper and The White Stripes, each of whom had previously been nominated once, and Soundgarden, which has received nominations twice. These seven artists were all recognized in the performer category.
The announcement of the inductees was made by Ryan Seacrest on ABC’s American Idol on the night of April 27.
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This year also features six additional inductees in different categories. Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will be honored with the musical influence award; renowned Philly Soul producer Thom Bell, acclaimed English studio pianist/organist Nicky Hopkins, and legendary studio bass guitarist Carole Kaye (also known for her work with the iconic Wrecking Crew) will be recognized with the musical excellence award; and producer and label executive Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Regrettably, several of these honorees did not live to witness their inductions. Hopkins passed away in 1994 at age 50; Zevon in 2003 at 56; Chris Cornell of Soundgarden in 2017 at 52; and Bell in 2022 at 79.
Checker endured a longer wait for induction compared to Cher, who was finally inducted last year, 59 years after the hit “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher.
With both Outkast and Salt-N-Pepa being honored this year, this marks the sixth consecutive year where one or more rap acts have entered the induction class.
With Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa, Meg White of The White Stripes, and Carol Kaye receiving induction this year, it signifies the fourth consecutive year in which four or more female acts are represented in the induction class.
Bell was the first recipient of the Grammy Award for producer of the year, non-classical, awarded in 1975. Interestingly, Waronker was among the other nominees in that category. That year, Waronker was also up for record of the year for producing Maria Muldaur’s sophisticated and sultry “Midnight at the Oasis.” His production achievements also include Gordon Lightfoot’s chart-topping “Sundown,” Rickie Lee Jones’ “Chuck E.’s in Love,” and Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.,” which Dawes performed as this year’s Grammy telecast opener.
At 90, Carol Kaye is this year’s oldest inductee. Checker and Waronker are both 83, and will turn 84 by the time of the induction ceremony on November 8.
All artists inducted in the performer category have achieved top five albums on the Billboard 200, with three reaching the No. 1 spot: Bad Company (Bad Company, 1974), Outkast (Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, 2003), and Soundgarden (Superunknown, 1994). Chubby Checker (Your Twist Party, 1962), Joe Cocker (Mad Dogs and Englishmen, 1970), and The White Stripes (Icky Thump, 2007) reached No. 2. Lauper managed to reach No. 4 twice, with She’s So Unusual in 1984 and True Colors in 1986.
Both of the artists receiving musical influence awards made the top 10. Salt-N-Pepa peaked at No. 4 with Very Necessary in 1994, while Zevon reached No. 8 with Excitable Boy in 1978.
Lauper won the Grammy for best new artist in 1985, marking her as the sixth past winner of that award to later achieve Rock Hall induction.
Outkast took home the Grammy for album of the year in 2004 for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. André 3000 was nominated again in that same category at this year’s ceremony for New Blue Sun.
Two of the inducted groups are duos – Outkast (André 3000 and Big Boi) and The White Stripes (Jack White and Meg White).
The other seven nominees in the performer category were not granted entry into the Rock Hall this year. Oasis and Mariah Carey were both overlooked for the second consecutive year, which was surprising given Oasis’s upcoming global tour in 2025 and Carey’s sustained high profile as the undisputed Queen of Christmas. Among the other artists not selected, Joy Division/New Order were on the ballot previously in 2023; this was the debut ballot for The Black Crowes, Billy Idol, Maná, and Phish.
The voters did not favor sibling acts this year. Oasis features Liam and Noel Gallagher, while The Black Crowes include Chris and Rich Robinson.
Maná aimed to become the first rock en español group to enter the Rock Hall. Joy Division/New Order sought to join the exclusive club of related acts inducted together, which has only included Parliament/Funkadelic in 1997 and The Small Faces/Faces in 2012.
Phish, which garnered this year’s fan vote, has yet to achieve a Hot 100 hit, though the band is a formidable live attraction, highlighted by their performance at the Sphere in Las Vegas in April 2024.
Idol was a fixture of early MTV, sharing that space with Lauper, who managed to get inducted. In a conversation with Vulture, Idol mentioned his guitarist Steve Stevens, stating, “Due to our unique connection, if I am inducted, they will also recognize him.” This would have mirrored Pat Benatar’s induction three years prior, where both Benatar and her husband, Neil Giraldo, were honored. However, it ultimately is moot, as Idol was not selected this year.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will occur live on Saturday, November 8, at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be streamed live on Disney+, with a subsequent airing on ABC and available on Hulu the following day. The 2024 ceremony was broadcast on New Year’s Day.
Below is the complete list of inductees for 2025:
Performer Category
- Bad Company
- Chubby Checker
- Joe Cocker
- Cyndi Lauper
- Outkast
- Soundgarden
- The White Stripes
Musical Influence Award
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Warren Zevon
Musical Excellence Award
- Thom Bell
- Nicky Hopkins
- Carol Kaye
Ahmet Ertegun Award
Lenny Waronker
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA