Rock Hall 2025 Performers: Star-Studded Lineup Revealed

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame just dropped a bombshell announcement that has music fans everywhere buzzing with excitement! The Rock Hall 2025 performers lineup reads like a dream concert, bringing together legends and today’s hottest stars for what promises to be an unforgettable night of celebration. When the 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes over the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 8, 2025, the stage will explode with incredible talent honoring this year’s inductees in the most spectacular way possible.

This year’s ceremony is particularly special, marking four decades of celebrating the artists who shaped rock and roll history. From Elton John to rising stars like Olivia Rodrigo, the Rock Hall 2025 performers represent every generation of music excellence. With Soundgarden, The White Stripes, and Bad Company among the inductees being honored, plus the late Warren Zevon receiving recognition, this classic rock news has everyone talking about what promises to be the most exciting ceremony yet!

Who Is Performing at Rock Hall 2025?

The Rock Hall 2025 performers list was announced on October 8, 2025, and it’s absolutely stacked with talent from across the musical spectrum. This initial lineup includes 18 incredible artists who will either present awards or perform tributes to the inductees, with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation promising additional special guests will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Rock and roll fans are getting the best of both worlds with this lineup. The ceremony brings together classic rock artists who have already earned their place in the Hall alongside contemporary stars who are shaping music today. It’s this beautiful collision of past and present that makes the Rock Hall induction ceremony such a magical event year after year.

Legendary Veterans Taking the Stage

Some of the biggest names in rock history will be part of the Rock Hall 2025 performers, and these legends bring serious credibility to the stage. Elton John, already a Rock Hall inductee himself, will be there to celebrate music’s highest honor. The Rocket Man’s presence alone guarantees an emotional and powerful moment during the ceremony.

Iggy Pop, the godfather of punk and member of The Stooges, represents raw rock energy that influenced generations of musicians. His induction years ago solidified his status as a rock icon, and now he returns to pay tribute to this year’s class. Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers brings his legendary bass skills and decades of innovation to the proceedings, while Beck adds his genre-defying artistry to the mix.

The legendary Questlove, drummer extraordinaire and music historian, will be part of the Rock Hall 2025 performers lineup, bringing his deep knowledge and passion for music history. And then there’s David Letterman, the only non-musician in the initial announcement, whose inclusion hints at a deeply personal tribute that longtime fans will immediately understand.

Today’s Superstars Join the Celebration

What makes this year’s ceremony particularly exciting is how the Rock Hall 2025 performers bridge generations. Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, who has taken the music world by storm with her emotionally raw songwriting, represents the next generation discovering rock’s power. Doja Cat, known for her genre-blending creativity and massive hits, brings contemporary star power to the stage.

British rising star RAYE and chart-topper Teddy Swims add their vocal talents to the mix, while hip-hop artists Killer Mike, J.I.D., and Sleepy Brown represent the genre’s deep connections to rock and roll history. Missy Elliott, herself a Rock Hall inductee, returns to celebrate more legends joining the club. Maxwell brings his smooth R&B excellence, and The Pretty Reckless frontwoman Taylor Momsen represents modern rock’s raw edge.

Twenty One Pilots, the genre-defying duo from Columbus, Ohio, round out the performers, bringing their massive fanbase and unique sound to honor the inductees. Each of these artists brings their own perspective on what rock and roll means, creating a diverse celebration of music’s power to unite us all.

Who Are the 2025 Inductees Being Honored?

The Rock Hall 2025 performers will be honoring an incredible class of inductees. In the Performer category, Bad Company finally gets their due recognition after years of waiting. The legendary British rockers created some of the most powerful anthems of the 1970s, and their induction is long overdue for classic rock fans.

Joe Cocker, the gravelly-voiced soul singer who could tear your heart out with a single note, receives posthumous recognition for his incredible career. His interpretations of rock and soul classics remain definitive versions that still move listeners today. Cyndi Lauper, the true blue icon who proved women could rock just as hard as men while maintaining their unique voice, joins the Hall in a ceremony sure to be filled with emotion and celebration.

OutKast, the groundbreaking hip-hop duo from Atlanta who revolutionized rap music and proved Southern hip-hop deserved respect on the biggest stages, finally get inducted. Their influence on modern music cannot be overstated. Soundgarden, the Seattle grunge pioneers whose heavy riffs and Chris Cornell’s soaring vocals defined a generation, receive recognition for changing rock’s trajectory in the 1990s.

The White Stripes, Jack and Meg White’s minimalist garage rock revolution, proved that sometimes less really is more. Their stripped-down approach to rock and roll inspired countless bands. And Chubby Checker, whose “The Twist” became a cultural phenomenon and dance craze that swept the nation, finally gets inducted at age 84 after famously protesting his exclusion back in 2002.

The Musical Influence Award goes to Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering female rap group who broke barriers and created anthems that still resonate, and Warren Zevon, the brilliant singer-songwriter whose witty, dark lyrics and exceptional musicianship influenced generations of artists. The Musical Excellence Award honors producer Thom Bell, session guitarist Nicky Hopkins, and legendary bassist Carol Kaye for their groundbreaking work that shaped countless hit records.

Special Connections and Tributes

While the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hasn’t officially announced which Rock Hall 2025 performers will honor specific inductees, music fans are already connecting the dots based on known relationships and collaborations. These connections make the ceremony even more meaningful, as artists who were influenced by or worked with the inductees get to pay tribute.

Brandi Carlile recorded an EP with the surviving members of Soundgarden for Record Store Day in 2020, making her involvement in their tribute almost certain. Taylor Momsen performed at the 2019 Chris Cornell tribute concert in Los Angeles and has long expressed her admiration for Soundgarden, having been on tour with them when Cornell tragically passed in 2017. Expect an emotional and powerful performance honoring Seattle’s grunge legends.

David Letterman’s inclusion among the Rock Hall 2025 performers immediately signals his role in honoring Warren Zevon. Their friendship was well-documented, and in 2002, after Zevon revealed his terminal mesothelioma diagnosis, he appeared as the sole guest on an entire episode of Letterman’s Late Show, performing what would be his final public appearance. Zevon passed away in September 2003, and Letterman’s tribute will undoubtedly be one of the ceremony’s most touching moments.

For OutKast’s induction, Sleepy Brown’s presence makes perfect sense as he frequently collaborated with the Atlanta duo. Killer Mike and J.I.D., both representing Atlanta’s thriving hip-hop scene, will likely participate in honoring the group that put Southern rap on the map. Missy Elliott will almost certainly pay tribute to Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering female rappers who opened doors for her own legendary career.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers connection through Flea suggests he might honor one of the session musicians being inducted, particularly Carol Kaye, whose bass work on countless classic tracks influenced generations of players. Questlove’s encyclopedic music knowledge and respect for music history makes him a perfect presenter for any of the Musical Excellence honorees.

How to Watch the Rock Hall 2025 Ceremony

Music fans everywhere want to know how they can experience the Rock Hall 2025 performers live, and the good news is there are multiple ways to catch this historic event. The 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will stream live coast-to-coast on Disney+ on Saturday, November 8, 2025, starting at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (5:00 PM Pacific, 6:00 PM Mountain, 7:00 PM Central).

If you can’t watch the live stream, don’t worry! The ceremony will remain available for streaming on Disney+ following the live broadcast, so you can watch it at your convenience. For those who prefer traditional television, ABC will air a primetime special featuring performance highlights and standout moments on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central. This condensed version will capture the best moments from the ceremony, and it will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

For the ultimate Rock Hall 2025 performers experience, tickets are available for purchase through AXS.com for those who want to attend the ceremony in person at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Seeing these legends and rising stars share the stage in person would be an unforgettable experience for any music lover.

The 2025 Inductee Exhibit in Cleveland

While the ceremony happens in Los Angeles, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is preparing something special for fans. The 2025 Inductee Exhibit opens to the public on October 31, 2025, featuring incredible artifacts that tell the stories of this year’s honorees. This exhibit brings fans closer to the artists who will be celebrated by the Rock Hall 2025 performers.

The exhibit includes Cyndi Lauper’s handwritten lyrics to her iconic hit “Time After Time,” offering a glimpse into her creative process. The outfits worn by Jack and Meg White on the cover of The White Stripes’ Icky Thump album will be on display, showcasing their distinctive visual style. A 1979 Gibson Les Paul electric guitar played by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden represents the power and artistry of the grunge movement.

OutKast fans will get to see outfits worn by the duo, including the memorable ensemble Andre 3000 wore in the “Hey Ya!” music video. These artifacts aren’t just memorabilia; they’re pieces of music history that connect fans to the moments that shaped rock and roll. The exhibit allows fans who can’t attend the Los Angeles ceremony to still celebrate these incredible artists and their contributions to music.

Final Thoughts on the Rock Hall 2025 Performers

The announcement of the Rock Hall 2025 performers has set the stage for what promises to be one of the most memorable ceremonies in the event’s 40-year history. The blend of classic rock legends, contemporary superstars, and rising stars creates a celebration that honors both the past and future of music. From Elton John to Olivia Rodrigo, from Iggy Pop to Doja Cat, this diverse lineup proves that rock and roll’s influence extends far beyond any single genre.

What makes this year’s ceremony particularly special is the quality of the inductees being honored. Bad Company, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, OutKast, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, Salt-N-Pepa, and Warren Zevon represent decades of musical innovation and influence. Each of these artists changed music in their own way, and seeing them celebrated by the Rock Hall 2025 performers will create moments that fans will remember forever.

The connections between presenters and inductees add layers of meaning to the ceremony. David Letterman honoring his friend Warren Zevon, Brandi Carlile and Taylor Momsen celebrating Soundgarden, and Missy Elliott paying tribute to Salt-N-Pepa are just some of the emotional highlights fans can expect. These aren’t just performances; they’re tributes from artists whose careers were shaped by the legends they’re honoring.

As we count down to November 8, 2025, the excitement continues to build. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has promised additional special guests will be announced in the coming weeks, meaning this already incredible lineup could get even better. Whether you’re watching on Disney+ from home or lucky enough to attend in person at the Peacock Theater, the Rock Hall 2025 performers are guaranteed to deliver a night of unforgettable music and emotional tributes.

This ceremony reminds us why rock and roll matters. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the connections between generations, the way artists inspire each other, and the universal language that brings us all together. The Rock Hall 2025 performers represent that spirit perfectly, bridging past and present to celebrate music’s power to change lives. Mark your calendars for November 8th because this is one ceremony you won’t want to miss!