Get ready to crank up your speakers, because the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about to get a whole lot louder and a little more legendary this year! The latest class of inductees is packed with a killer lineup — and yes, it's a party you won't want to miss.
Let’s start with the headliners:
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Chubby Checker, the man who basically taught America how to twist, is finally getting his due.
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Joe Cocker, the raspy-voiced soul rocker who once ruled Woodstock, is in — and about time, too.
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Bad Company, the ultimate arena rock kings, are officially Hall of Famers now.
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Cyndi Lauper, pop's fearless queen from the '80s, is taking her rightful place.
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Outkast, the genre-bending, chart-topping hip-hop duo that changed everything, are rolling in.
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The White Stripes, indie’s coolest former couple, are making their grand entrance.
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Soundgarden, the grunge legends with the late, great Chris Cornell leading the charge, have also earned their spot.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Wait, there’s more?” — oh, absolutely!
This year’s Musical Influence Award is being handed out to:
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Salt-N-Pepa, those pioneering ladies who smashed barriers in hip-hop and became the first female rap act to hit gold and platinum.
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Warren Zevon, the beloved singer-songwriter behind haunting classics like “Werewolves of London,” is being honored posthumously.
And that's not all! Some heavy-hitters behind the scenes are also getting recognized with the Musical Excellence Award:
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Thom Bell, the mastermind producer who helped craft the lush sound of Philly soul.
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Nicky Hopkins, a pianist whose fingerprints are all over some of rock’s biggest hits.
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Carol Kaye, the bass genius whose riffs powered tracks you didn’t even know she touched.
The Rock Hall is also tipping its hat to industry legend Lenny Waronker, who’s snagging the prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Award. Waronker’s resume is seriously jaw-dropping — he signed acts like Prince and R.E.M., and worked on albums from Madonna, Paul Simon, and Gary Clark Jr., just to name a few.
A few big names didn’t quite make the cut this time, though — sorry, Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes, and Oasis fans. Their day might still come, but for now, they’ll have to sit tight.
Let’s rewind a bit because some of these stories are just too good to rush through.
First off, can we talk about Chubby Checker for a second? The guy invented the dance floor! His smash hits “The Twist” and “Let’s Twist Again” basically reprogrammed America’s hips. And trust me, it’s been a long time coming for this 83-year-old legend. Back in 2014, he vented to the Associated Press, saying, “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.” Well, Chubby, the wait is (almost) over, and you can keep that smile on.
As for Joe Cocker, it’s impossible not to hear his guttural, soulful version of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” and not get chills. Cocker, who blew minds at Woodstock, had some pretty vocal supporters behind his induction — including Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, and Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello’s band, who all said, basically, “If he’s not rock and roll, what is?”
And how about Bad Company? If you’ve ever been to a rock concert and not shouted along to “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy,” or “Can’t Get Enough,” did you even live? Their hits have become radio anthems, the kind of songs that fill stadiums and live rent-free in your head.
Meanwhile, Soundgarden’s induction is emotional, given the passing of Chris Cornell. They’re only the third grunge act to join the Hall — right after Nirvana and Pearl Jam. That’s some seriously iconic company.
On the pop side of things, the colorful, endlessly energetic Cyndi Lauper is finally stepping into the Hall. From '80s classics like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Time After Time” to her Tony Award-winning work on “Kinky Boots,” Lauper has spent decades pushing creative boundaries. She’s proof that fun and serious artistry can absolutely coexist.
Speaking of pushing boundaries, how about Outkast? André 3000 and Big Boi completely blew up hip-hop’s rulebook. With six Grammys and albums that still sound futuristic today, it’s no wonder they’re being recognized. I mean, can you even imagine the 2000s without “Hey Ya!” blaring out of every speaker?
And then there’s The White Stripes. Jack White and Meg White kicked the indie rock scene into high gear in the early 2000s, armed with just a guitar, drums, and raw, unstoppable energy. “Seven Nation Army” alone could probably earn them a spot, considering it became the unofficial anthem of every sports event ever.
Now, a few important things to know about how the Hall works:
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Artists become eligible 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. So basically, if your band dropped an album in 1999, 2024 was your first chance.
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More than 1,200 artists, historians, and music biz insiders cast votes.
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The criteria? It’s about way more than just chart-topping hits. They look at impact on other musicians, the breadth and longevity of careers, innovation, excellence in style and technique — basically, whether you rocked the world and changed the game.
The big induction ceremony is going down this fall in Los Angeles, and if the past few years are anything to go by, expect emotional speeches, unforgettable performances, and maybe a few surprises. (Who knows — maybe some of those not-yet-inducted artists will pop up for a killer jam session.)
In short:
This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class is absolutely stacked, celebrating legends across genres and generations. Whether you grew up twisting to Chubby Checker, moshing to Soundgarden, or vibing to Outkast, there’s something here to get excited about.
Rock on, 2025!
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