2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees: Who Made It and Who Got Snubbed

 The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have officially been announced, bringing excitement for some — and frustration for others. This year’s class features genre-defying legends and overdue icons, but it also leaves several major names glaringly absent.

As the Hall continues evolving to reflect a broader view of musical influence, the latest choices — and omissions — spark big conversations about who gets to define rock history.

Who Made It Into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

This year’s Rock Hall inductees offer a rich blend of innovation, impact, and artistry. Here’s a closer look at the performers officially joining the Hall:

Cyndi Lauper: The pop icon behind “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” finally earns a spot after reshaping 1980s pop with her bold style and distinct voice.

OutKast: Making it in on their first nomination, the Atlanta duo brings hip-hop's genre-bending brilliance into the Hall’s traditionally rock-centered story.

The White Stripes: Jack and Meg White’s minimalist, garage rock revival now cements their status among music’s greats — just as they become newly eligible.

Soundgarden: After multiple nominations, the Seattle grunge pioneers, led by the late Chris Cornell, are recognized for their heavy, haunting contributions to alternative rock.

Chubby Checker: More than six decades after he made “The Twist” a cultural phenomenon, Checker finally enters the Hall — a move many fans call “long overdue.”

Joe Cocker: The British blues-rock singer’s emotional performances, especially his Woodstock rendition of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” earn him a posthumous honor.

Bad Company: The British hard rock supergroup, featuring Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke, joins the Hall with their bluesy rock hits still resonating across generations.

Additional honors included Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon under the Musical Influence Award, while session legends like Carol Kaye and Nicky Hopkins earned the Musical Excellence Award.

The Biggest 2025 Rock Hall Snubs

While the Hall expanded its reach this year, several fan favorites and industry legends were left off the final list, raising eyebrows across the music world:

Mariah Carey: Despite being one of the best-selling artists of all time, Carey did not make the cut this year. Her absence continues the Hall’s complicated relationship with pop megastars.

Oasis: The Britpop giants, often credited with shaping 1990s rock, remain on the outside looking in — a snub that will surely reignite fan debates.

Phish: Despite their legendary status among jam band devotees, Phish has yet to be recognized, raising questions about how non-mainstream success is valued.

Sinead O'Connor: Following her death in 2023 and a resurgence of interest in her music, many hoped the Hall would fast-track O’Connor’s induction. Instead, she remains on the waiting list.

Lenny Kravitz: Blending rock, funk, and soul across decades, Kravitz’s ongoing exclusion suggests that certain crossover artists still face an uphill battle for recognition.

What This Year’s Picks Say About the Hall's Future

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class reflects the institution’s ongoing struggle — and slow progress — toward a more inclusive understanding of “rock.” Honoring hip-hop pioneers like OutKast and Salt-N-Pepa shows growth, but notable snubs, particularly among women and non-American artists, reveal the work still to be done.

Moreover, the long wait for figures like Chubby Checker suggests that historical oversight continues to be a thorny issue for the Hall. As fan bases diversify and the definition of popular music keeps expanding, future inductions will likely come under even greater scrutiny.

When and Where to Watch the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony

The 2025 Rock Hall induction ceremony will be held on November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. For the first time, the event will stream live on Disney+, with a special broadcast later airing on ABC and becoming available on Hulu.

Expect powerful tributes, emotional speeches, and unexpected collaborations — signature elements of Rock Hall ceremonies that make them must-watch events for music fans everywhere.

Conclusion

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees honor a thrilling spectrum of music legends, but they also highlight who the institution still struggles to fully embrace. As the Hall looks ahead, the debates over snubs and surprises will only grow louder — proving that in music, as in life, legacy is never set in stone.