Without specifying who is doing what, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has revealed the roster of presenters and performers for its 2025 induction ceremony, which will be held Nov. 8 at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater and will be streamed live on Disney+. Among them are Olivia Rodrigo, Elton John, Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Brandi Carlile and Iggy Pop.
Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden and the White Stripes will be enshrined this year. Beyond the core inductions, Salt-N-Pepa and the late Warren Zevon will receive the Musical Influence Award, while hit-making R&B producer Thom Bell and studio musicians Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye will be honored with the Musical Excellence Award. The Ahmet Ertegun Award for impactful, non-performing industry professionals will be presented to former Warner Bros. Records president/DreamWorks co-founder Lenny Waronker.
Pundits are speculating that Carlile and Taylor Momsen will handle the late Chris Cornell’s vocals during Soundgarden’s performance segment, while David Letterman is a logical choice to induct his longtime friend Zevon. Atlanta rappers Killer Mike and Sleepy Brown seem like slam dunks to be involved in honoring Outkast, which hasn’t performed live since 2014, while Maxwell could be a perfect interpreter of Bell’s storied catalog.
Also set to appear are Beck, J.I.D., Questlove, RAYE, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots. Additional guests will be announced later, and a highlight special is set to air Jan. 1 on ABC.
Passing through the Rock Hall’s ancestral home of Cleveland? Stop by the museum beginning Oct. 31 to see guitars played by Cornell, Andre 3000’s outfit from Outkast’s “Hey Ya” video and other nominee-specific memorabilia.
