Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees announced: See the list

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees for 2025 were announced on Sunday, representing everyone from first-time nominees Chubby Checker and Bad Company, to Outkast and the White Stripes. 

The nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. Here’s what to know:

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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

What we know:

A total of 13 inductees were announced – 

• The performer category includes first-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, and Outkast, as well as previously-nominated Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes.
• Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award.
• The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award.
• The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr.

Some nominees that didn't get in this year include Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis.

Dig deeper:

The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ "With a Little Help From My Friends," had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets."

Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — are getting into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company have become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as "Feel Like Makin’ Love," "Can’t Get Enough" and "Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy."

Checker’s recording of "The Twist," and subsequent "Let’s Twist Again" are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old. I’ll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling."

Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as "Time After Time" and "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and went on to win a Tony Award for "Kinky Boots." 

OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as "Seven Nation Army."

Salt-N-Pepa became the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status.

What they're saying:

"Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever," John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, said in a statement. "Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps."

Big picture view:

To be eligible for induction, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The selection criteria included "an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique."

What's next:

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held live on Nov. 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.