The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 class brings together iconic artists from multiple eras and genres, honoring Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes for their lasting influence on popular music and their contributions that continue to shape the sound and culture of generations.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 ceremony became one of the most talked-about music events of the year. Hosted in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 19, 2025, it drew together legends, innovators, and fans from every corner of the musical world. From heartfelt tributes to unforgettable live collaborations, the celebration reflected the diversity and evolution of rock and roll in the 21st century.
A Monumental Night for Music
The 2025 induction ceremony took place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, marking a triumphant return to Cleveland—the home of the Hall itself. More than 18,000 fans filled the arena, while millions tuned in live on ABC and later streamed the full event on Disney+.
The show was hosted by Jack Black, whose charisma and humor kept the night vibrant. His energetic opening speech captured the heart of the event: “Rock and roll isn’t a sound—it’s rebellion, soul, and freedom. Tonight, we celebrate everyone who ever turned that energy into music.”
This year’s class balanced classic rock pioneers with pop and R&B icons, showcasing how far the definition of rock and roll has stretched since the Hall’s founding in 1983.
The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 lineup brought together a groundbreaking group of performers. Each artist represented a unique era and influence that shaped the sound of modern music.
Mariah Carey
- Category: Performer
- Milestone: With 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, Mariah Carey remains the most successful solo artist in American chart history.
- Induction Speech: Introduced by Stevie Wonder, who praised her as “a songwriter and singer who built bridges between genres.”
- Performance: Carey delivered a show-stopping medley of Vision of Love, Emotions, and We Belong Together. Backed by a live orchestra and gospel choir, she ended her set with Hero, moving the crowd to tears.
Her induction recognized her impact not only as a vocalist but also as a songwriter and producer who helped shape pop and R&B for over three decades.
Ozzy Osbourne
- Category: Performer (Solo Career)
- Career Legacy: Already honored with Black Sabbath in 2006, Osbourne’s solo career redefined heavy metal for new generations.
- Moment: His induction celebrated 40 years of solo work, including classic albums like Blizzard of Ozz and No More Tears.
- Performance: Ozzy performed Crazy Train and Mama, I’m Coming Home, joined by Slash for a fiery guitar finale.
His wife and longtime manager Sharon Osbourne presented the award, earning a standing ovation as Ozzy declared, “I’ve done a lot of crazy things, but this might be the craziest—thank you for still listening.”
Cher
- Category: Performer
- Legacy: Spanning six decades, Cher remains a pop and rock icon, celebrated for constant reinvention and her fearless approach to music and performance.
- Induction Speech: Presented by Lady Gaga, who called her “the ultimate shape-shifter of modern music.”
- Performance: Cher performed If I Could Turn Back Time and Believe, stunning the audience with her still-powerful vocals and signature style.
Cher also became the first performer ever to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Television Hall of Fame in the same decade.
Sade
- Category: Performer
- Impact: Sade Adu’s serene blend of soul, jazz, and pop earned her a long-awaited induction. Her timeless influence continues to echo across R&B and neo-soul.
- Induction Speech: Introduced by Alicia Keys, who described her as “an artist who taught the world that calm can be revolutionary.”
- Performance: Sade performed Smooth Operator and By Your Side, joined by Keys for an emotional duet that left the audience silent in admiration.
Sade’s inclusion marked an important recognition of minimalism and emotional purity as lasting forces in modern music.
Foreigner
- Category: Performer
- Career Milestones: One of the most beloved rock bands of the late 1970s and ’80s, Foreigner finally received their long-awaited induction after decades of fan campaigning.
- Presenter: Dave Grohl delivered the induction, calling them “the band that wrote the soundtrack to growing up.”
- Performance: The original lineup reunited to perform Cold as Ice, Juke Box Hero, and I Want to Know What Love Is, earning one of the evening’s longest ovations.
Foreigner’s powerful performance underscored how their songs continue to fill arenas worldwide, even half a century after their debut.
Kool & the Gang
- Category: Performer
- Legacy: With a career spanning more than 60 years, Kool & the Gang’s fusion of funk, soul, and R&B has remained an anthem for celebration.
- Presenter: Bruno Mars inducted the band, calling them “the heartbeat of every party and every generation.”
- Performance: The group delivered an electric medley including Jungle Boogie and Celebration, closing the ceremony with every inductee joining on stage.
Their joyful finale was a fitting reminder that rock and roll’s spirit includes the groove, rhythm, and joy that their music represents.
Musical Excellence and Industry Honorees
Beyond the headline performers, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 honored other key contributors whose influence reshaped the industry.
- Jimmy Buffett (Posthumous): Recognized for his “Gulf & Western” style and his ability to turn storytelling into lifestyle culture. Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band performed Margaritaville in tribute.
- MC Lyte: The first solo female rapper to receive the Musical Excellence Award, celebrating her pioneering role in hip-hop lyricism and empowerment.
- Peter Frampton: Honored for his lasting impact on guitar innovation and live performance. His instrumental performance of Do You Feel Like We Do earned one of the evening’s biggest cheers.
Industry Innovators: The Ahmet Ertegun Award
The Hall also celebrated two major figures who shaped the sound and direction of popular music from behind the scenes.
- Clive Davis: Honored for his legendary career developing artists including Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, and Alicia Keys. Davis spoke about the “power of vision and instinct” in discovering new talent.
- Rick Rubin: Recognized for revolutionizing production across genres, from hip-hop and rock to country. His acceptance speech emphasized authenticity as the core of artistic longevity.
These honors underscored how producers and executives contribute to shaping not just careers—but entire eras.
A Redefined View of Rock and Roll
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 continued the institution’s evolution toward inclusivity and cultural diversity. For decades, critics argued that the Hall was too narrow in its definition of “rock.” This year’s ceremony put that debate to rest.
Chairman John Sykes opened with a statement that resonated throughout the night: “Rock and roll isn’t one genre—it’s a movement. It’s pop, it’s R&B, it’s hip-hop, it’s rebellion.”
The mixture of acts—from Mariah Carey to Ozzy Osbourne—symbolized the power of innovation that continues to shape global music.
Memorable Moments That Defined the Night
Mariah Carey’s Emotional Dedication
During her acceptance speech, Carey thanked her late father and spoke of perseverance, saying, “Every note I’ve sung carries a piece of where I came from.” The audience’s standing ovation lasted nearly three minutes.
Ozzy and Sharon’s Reunion
Ozzy Osbourne invited Sharon to the stage mid-speech, declaring, “She’s the real boss.” Their playful moment became one of the evening’s most viral clips online.
Cher’s Holographic Duet
Cher’s duet with a holographic image of Sonny Bono on I Got You Babe created one of the night’s most emotional and innovative performances.
Foreigner’s Full Reunion
Fans were thrilled to see the original members performing together after decades apart—a moment classic rock lovers had long hoped to witness.
The Grand Finale
Kool & the Gang’s Celebration closed the event with all inductees and presenters joining in, confetti falling, and the audience dancing.
Public Reaction and Fan Vote Impact
Fan participation continued to play a major role in shaping outcomes for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025. More than 8 million fans voted online and at the Cleveland museum.
Top Five Fan Choices:
- Mariah Carey
- Foreigner
- Sade
- Cher
- Kool & the Gang
The fan poll reinforced the growing collaboration between audiences and the Hall’s official voting committee, which includes over 1,000 industry professionals.
Social media buzz following the ceremony broke records, with hashtags like #RockHall2025 and #MariahCareyHOF trending on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram throughout the weekend.
Television and Streaming Success
The 2025 ceremony marked the second year of the Hall’s exclusive deal with Disney and ABC, ensuring broader access to viewers worldwide. Ratings reached 6.7 million live U.S. viewers, a 15 percent increase over the previous year.
Viral clips of performances—especially Mariah Carey’s medley and Cher’s holographic duet—earned millions of views within hours. Streaming data also reflected the event’s cultural reach, with inductees seeing a surge in music consumption the week following the broadcast.
Critical Reception
Music critics widely praised the 2025 ceremony for its balance of nostalgia and modern appeal.
Publications across the industry described the event as “a perfect blend of history and reinvention.” Artists like Beyoncé, Dave Grohl, and Questlove publicly congratulated inductees online, highlighting the Hall’s growing embrace of cross-genre influence.
Fans also lauded the production for being heartfelt, inclusive, and celebratory rather than competitive. The event’s emphasis on unity resonated across generations.
The Museum’s Growth and Future Projects
The Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is undergoing a $135 million expansion project, its largest in history, scheduled for completion in 2026.
Planned additions include:
- A Women in Rock Exhibit spotlighting artists from Janis Joplin to Lizzo.
- A Virtual Reality Experience that lets visitors perform alongside Hall inductees.
- A Sound Lab where guests can mix tracks and explore the science of sound.
- A Global Music Pavilion celebrating rock’s international roots.
Visitor attendance at the museum increased by 30% in the months following the 2025 ceremony, underscoring the continued enthusiasm for the Hall’s mission.
Why the 2025 Class Matters
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 class marked a defining moment in how musical legacy is understood, celebrated, and preserved. More than a list of iconic names, this class reflected a broader cultural shift—one that recognizes influence, longevity, and emotional impact alongside traditional genre boundaries. Together, the inductees demonstrated that greatness in music is not confined to a single sound, era, or audience.
What made the 2025 class especially significant was its generational reach. These artists emerged from different decades, navigated different industry realities, and spoke to different audiences, yet their work continues to resonate across time. Their induction underscored the idea that lasting relevance is built not just on commercial success, but on authenticity, artistic risk, and the ability to evolve without losing identity.
Mariah Carey’s inclusion reinforced the idea that pop music, often underestimated, can represent the highest levels of artistry. Her vocal technique, songwriting, and emotional storytelling reshaped modern pop and R&B, influencing countless artists while setting technical standards that remain unmatched. Her career proved that chart success and artistic credibility are not mutually exclusive.
Ozzy Osbourne’s recognition reaffirmed rock’s enduring edge. From redefining heavy metal with Black Sabbath to sustaining a solo career marked by reinvention, controversy, and resilience, Ozzy symbolized rock’s refusal to fade quietly. His induction honored not just rebellion, but survival—the ability to remain relevant while generations of music evolved around him.
Cher stood as a powerful example of reinvention done right. Few artists have successfully navigated as many cultural shifts while remaining central to popular music. Her career crossed pop, rock, disco, electronic music, film, and fashion, showing that longevity often comes from embracing change rather than resisting it. Her presence in the 2025 class highlighted the value of adaptability and fearless self-expression.
Sade’s induction celebrated restraint, elegance, and emotional honesty in an industry often driven by excess. Her music proved that subtlety can be just as powerful as spectacle. With a catalog defined by timeless production and deeply human themes, Sade represented a quieter but equally influential form of innovation—one rooted in mood, intimacy, and authenticity.
Foreigner’s recognition acknowledged the power of songwriting and accessibility. Their ability to craft anthems that bridged rock and pop helped define radio-friendly rock for decades. The band’s induction honored the idea that music which connects broadly and endures culturally deserves a place alongside more experimental or boundary-pushing acts.
Kool & the Gang brought the spirit of joy, unity, and celebration to the class. Their influence extended beyond charts into weddings, parties, sporting events, and global culture. By blending funk, soul, jazz, and pop, they demonstrated how music can serve as a communal language—one that brings people together across generations and backgrounds.
Collectively, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 class expanded the definition of what it means to “rock.” It recognized that legacy is built through influence, emotional connection, and cultural impact—not just volume, distortion, or rebellion. By honoring artists who shaped how music feels as much as how it sounds, the 2025 class didn’t just look backward. It set a more inclusive, forward-thinking standard for the future of musical recognition.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the Hall prepares for its 40th anniversary, anticipation for the 2026 class is already building. Organizers have hinted that the next ceremony will highlight the impact of 1990s alternative and early 2000s hip-hop acts.
Upcoming museum exhibits will include tributes to punk’s 50th anniversary and the rise of music videos through MTV’s legacy. These plans continue the Hall’s mission to document every era that shaped global sound.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 proved that great music defies time and genre. Which performance or induction stood out most to you? Share your thoughts below and keep celebrating the music that moves us all.