The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA on November 8, 2025. This was the 3rd ceremony we’ve attended in Los Angeles (2013, 2022, 2025), in addition to 5 in Cleveland (2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024), and 5 in Brooklyn (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023). We have now seen 137 bands/performers/people inducted into the Hall. Initially, I didn’t have much excitement for this class, but the ceremony was very good, definitely one of the best we’ve seen.
Please scroll below for the MisplacedStraws Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction review.
The show was live streamed on Disney+, however the live show kicks off a few minutes before the broadcast with welcoming remarks from Rock Hall Foundation Chair John Sykes. Sykes spoke of the birth of rock, when Alan Freed first played “Rocket 88”, and then fell into his familiar narrative about rock and roll being an attitude. Sykes brought a lot of excitement with him when he took over as Chair, but has really become a one-trick pony, continually hammering the narrative about “attitude”.
The main show and live stream began with a surprise tribute to the late Sly Stone. A fantastic band, led by Stevie Wonder and featuring Flea, Beck, Questlove, and Leon Thomas began with “Dance To The Music”. Maxwell joined in to sing “Everyday People”, and after a joyous “Thank You (Fallettinme Be Mice Elf Again), Jennifer Hudson roared not the stage for “Higher”. This was the best kickoff to an induction in recent memory.
Bad Company was the first inductee of the night. Mick Fleetwood gave the induction speech which was really good and gave a lot of history between him and the members of the band. After the video, it was performance time. Unfortunately, the performance illustrated what’s wrong with the Hall. Bad Company should have been in years ago, they have been eligible since 1999. Had they been inducted earlier, they could have been there and played. Bassist Boz Burrell died in 2006, guitarist Mick Ralphs died earlier this year, and vocalist Paul Rodgers was unable to attend for health reasons, leaving drummer Simon Kirk as the lone representative. Making a band wait until after members pass is just cruel. Kirk led an all-star band featuring Joe Perry, Nancy Wilson, Spike Edny, and Todd Ronning. Chris Robinson took the vocals for “Feel Like Making Love”, while Bryan Adams held the mic for “Can’t Get Enough”. The band was stellar, both vocalists were good, but couldn’t match the sound of Paul Rodgers. Kirk gave an acceptance speech heavy on thank-you’s and Rodgers appeared in an emotional video getting into the history of the band.
Missy Elliott was on hand to induct Salt N Pepa. Her speech this night was probably better than her own induction speech and really laid out the band’s influence. After the video, the ladies took the stage with a medley of “My Mic Sounds Nice/Shoop/Let’s Talk About Sex”. They then welcomed En Vogue and Hurby Luv Bug for “What A Man” and then Kid N Play for “Push It”. Salt gave a great speech about the history of the band, their fight for their masters, and their influence on women who came after. Pepa handled the “thank you’s” while Spinderella pointed out she is the first female DJ inducted into the Hall. I have to say this was the best, most enjoyable hip-hop/rap induction I’ve seen.
A video followed presenting legendary pianist Nicky Hopkins with the Musical Excellence award. Once again, this was a long overdue honor.
The emotional high of the night was next when David Letterman came to present his friend, the late Warren Zevon, with a Musical Excellence award. Letterman was funny and poignant as he gave the history of Zevon’s career and their friendship. After the video, Letterman took the stage again, telling the story of how, after his last appearance weeks before his death, Warren gifted Letterman the guitar he used each time he played the show. Letterman brought the guitar and presented it to Killers guitarist Dave Kuening to play during their performance. The band, joined by Waddy Wachtel, played a perfect version of “Lawyers, Guns, and Money”. Easily a highlight of the night.
A video presenting Philly songwriter and producer Thom Bell with the Musical Excellence Award allowed the crowd to catch its breath.
Iggy Pop stepped up next to induct the White Stripes. Iggy was a perfect choice as he is a fellow Detroit native and has a considerable history with Jack White. Iggy’s speech gave a great history of the band, leading into the induction video. Jack White was on hand to accept and gave a heartfelt speech. He relayed comments from Meg White and told a story that was a cute, fictional account of starting the band. Unfortunately, Jack didn’t play, but Induction Ceremony regular Olivia Rodrigo (why is she there every year?) and Feist performed an acoustic version of “We’re Going To Be Friends” before 21 Pilots gave one of the great performances we’ve seen at any induction with an incendiary take on “Seven Nation Army”.
A video presenting Lenny Waronker with the Ahmet Ertegun Award was followed by his pre-taped acceptance.
Donald Glover was on hand to induct Atlanta rappers OutKast. Glover gave a great speech that, in addition to being funny, also explained the impact of a southern group in a genre dominated by the east coast/west coast feud. A large group of people joined Big Boi and Andre 3000 on stage. The speeches were funny and emotional but went on a little long. Andre 3000 didn’t perform, but Big Boi did a long set filled with guests that kind of evolved into a bit of chaos. Jid came out for “ATLiens”, Doja Cat for “Ms. Jackson”, Tylor the Creator joined for “B.O.B”, while a frantic Janelle Monet was at the mic for “Hey Ya”. The set ended with Sleepy Brown on “The Way You Move” and Killer Mike on “The Whole World”.
A video promoting the Hall in Cleveland was next.
Jim Carey then came up to induct Seattle icons Soundgarden. Jim was not only a fan, but first met the band back in 1996 on an episode of SNL and remained friends. After the video, Chris Cornell’s daughter Lily came up to talk about her father before introducing the band, including the first performance with original bassist Hiro Yamamoto since 1989. The band, joined by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and vocalist Taylor Momson for an explosive “Rusty Cage”. Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell joined along with the incredible Brandi Carlile for “Black Hole Sun”. Both songs were absolutely amazing, Taylor and Brandi were inspired choices and would’ve made Chris Cornell proud. Hiro kicked off the speeches with a history of the band, and if his parents in camps just for being Japanese. Kim, Matt, and Ben gave short speeches thanking those that helped them along the way. In an unusual move, after the speeches, Cornell’s daughter Toni took the stage with Nancy Wilson on guitar for a gorgeous “Fell on Black Days”.
The “In Memoriam” segment kicked off with a video celebrating 2024 inductee Ozzy Osbourne and ended with Brian Wilson. After the video, Elton John took the stage to pay homage to Wilson with a stirring rendition of “God Only Knows”.
A video presenting Carol Kaye with her Musical Excellence award followed.
Chappel Roan took the stage in one of her trademark outrageous outfits to induct Cindy Lauper. There seemed to be no connection between Roan and Lauper and the speech came off as a reading of Lauper’s Wikipedia page. After her video, Lauper took the stage backed by an all female band featuring Lisa Coleman, Ginger Pooley, and Gina Schock. The set started with a beautiful “True Colors”, Lauper then brought out Raye for “Time After Time”. She asked everyone to light their cell phones to remind us all that we are a community of light. The set ended with Avril Lavigne coming out for “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, or “fundamental rights” as Lauper sang. Lauper’s speech was excellent and heartfelt, all in all, it was a very strong segment.
Chubby Checker received his award via video tribute and sent in a video acceptance.
The final segment of the night was Bryan Adams returning to induct Joe Cocker. Adams was a fan and a friend, he gave a great speech filled with personal stories of his time with Joe. The Tedeschi Trucks band took the stage after the video. The band has paid tribute to Cocker by recreating his “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour many times over the years, so they were a perfect choice. Nathaniel Rateliff joined for “The Letter” and Teddy Swims came out for “Feeling Alright”. The band was incredible and the vocalist (along with Susan Tedeschi) sounded great. In a throwback to the jams of the old days, Chris Robinson, Bryan Adams, Cindy Lauper, Teddy Swims, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Leon Thomas all joined for a rocking “With A Little Help From My Friends”.
As I mentioned, I didn’t know what to expect from this induction but was pleasantly surprised. The performances were great, most of the speeches hit the mark, and surprises, like Stevie Wonder, made it a great night. On to NYC in 2026!
