Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors Lauper, Soundgarden, Salt-N-Pepa and more in a night of emotional tributes and standout performances in Los Angeles.
A Night of Musical Legacy and Celebration
This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony brought together generations of artists at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday, highlighting how rock’s influence continues to evolve. The event honoured icons including Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Salt-N-Pepa and the late Joe Cocker, while featuring powerful tributes and memorable performances from contemporary stars.
Lauper’s Message of Strength Resonates
Cyndi Lauper delivered one of the night’s most defining moments when she transformed True Colors into a soaring call for solidarity. She paused mid-song, fist raised, urging the crowd, “Don’t be afraid!” Her segment continued with collaborations alongside Raye and Avril Lavigne, while Salt-N-Pepa joined her onstage for Girls Just Want to Have Fun, celebrating the shared resilience of women in music. Lauper emphasized legacy in her acceptance speech, acknowledging the women who paved the way and expressing her commitment to lifting those who follow.
Women’s Influence Takes Centre Stage
Salt-N-Pepa used their induction to spotlight ongoing struggles for recognition and ownership in the music industry. Cheryl “Salt” James spoke openly about their fight to reclaim their master recordings and the challenges women continue to face in the business. Their set included Shoop, Let’s Talk About Sex and What a Man alongside En Vogue, bringing the crowd to its feet and reinforcing the group’s enduring cultural impact.
Outkast Reunite on Stage, Though Not in Song
Outkast appeared together to accept their induction, marking their first shared stage moment since 2016. While André 3000 chose not to perform, Big Boi led a dynamic musical tribute featuring Tyler, the Creator, JID, Killer Mike and Janelle Monáe. André’s emotional speech reflected on the group’s early days in a small Atlanta basement studio and the creative partnership that helped shape modern hip-hop.
Soundgarden Honours Chris Cornell with Emotion and Power
The ceremony’s most intimate reflections came during Soundgarden’s induction. Jim Carrey, a longtime fan, delivered a tearful tribute to lead singer Chris Cornell, who died in 2017. Cornell’s daughters participated in the segment, with Toni Cornell offering a heartfelt performance of Fell on Black Days. Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlile joined Soundgarden’s surviving members onstage for powerful renditions of Rusty Cage and Black Hole Sun, marking a meaningful moment of remembrance.
The White Stripes’ Absence Felt but Their Influence Celebrated
Though Meg White did not attend and the band did not reunite for a performance, The White Stripes’ influence was unmistakable. Twenty One Pilots energized the theatre with Seven Nation Army, while Olivia Rodrigo and Feist offered a softer reflection with We’re Gonna Be Friends. Jack White, wearing their iconic red-and-white palette, spoke emotionally about creative partnership and the beauty of artistic collaboration.
Tributes to Late Legends Conclude the Evening
Stevie Wonder opened the night with a vibrant tribute to Sly Stone, joined by Questlove, Beck, Flea and Jennifer Hudson for a run of Sly and the Family Stone classics. Elton John later honoured Brian Wilson with a gentle performance of God Only Knows. Bad Company, Warren Zevon, Carole Kaye, Chubby Checker and others also received recognition, underscoring the broad musical heritage celebrated throughout the evening.
