ROCK HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) 2025 inductees were revealed live Sunday night during American Idol. Host Ryan Seacrest announced the inductees as the 14 reality show contestants each performed songs by one of this year’s 13 RRHOF nominees. For more info on "music’s highest honor”, visit www.rockhall.com.

Induction in the performer category is the main recognition given annually. I won’t call it coveted, though, because more than a few musicians have expressed their indifference to the RRHOF, with some even refusing to show up for their own inductions, most notably Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, The Sex Pistols, and Axl Rose.

Performer Category (7)

Bad Company

Chubby Checker

Cyndi Lauper

Joe Cocker

Outkast

Soundgarden

The White Stripes

Musical Influence Award (2)

Salt-N-Pepa

Warren Zevon

Musical Excellence Award (3)

Carol Kaye

Nicky Hopkins

Thom Bell

Ahmet Ertegun Award (1)

Lenny Waronker

The big winners of the night seem to be fans of Warren Zevon, who have waited 30 years since he was first eligible for Rock Hall consideration. Most online chatter that I read agrees that Joe Cocker, Bad Company, and Chubby Checker’s inductions are long overdue (Checker is 83 years of age ). Fans of the late Chris Cornell were thrilled to see Soundgarden inducted.

Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell, posted on the Chris Cornell Official Instagram page, "Thank you @rockhall... And huge thanks to all the fans who voted who’s (sic) constant love and support keep his legacy alive. It’s always bittersweet but Chris would be so honored and it is well past due and beyond well deserved! On behalf of Chris and our family -thank you!! Loud love ❤️ VC"

I am surprised to see Outkast (who were only active for 15 years), and The White Stripes (who were only active for 14 years) make the cut, judging from online voting and public opinion. Nonetheless, both bands are exceptionally talented and deserve the honour. At the same time, I’m surprised that Mariah Carey did not make it, considering her sales of 220 million albums, and holding the record as Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)'s highest-certified female artist.

I’m disappointed that definitive rocker Billy Idol didn’t make it in (yet Salt-N-Pepa did?). Oasis, it seems, has ruined their reputations to the point that they couldn’t even break 100,000 votes during the fan vote.

Regarding Phish, initial reaction to them being nominated was essentially puzzlement by the online community. They ultimately led the online voting with almost 330,000 votes but failed to secure an induction.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on November 8th, 2025, with livestreaming on Disney+.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 inductees (L to R): Soundgarden (Photo credit: Michael Lavine), and Joe Cocker (Photo: Instagram @joeckerofficial)