CLEVELAND – Theโค Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expanded its pantheon ofโ musical icons Saturday night, enshrining โฃSoundgarden, The White Stripes, Outkast, and a diverse array of influential figures in a ceremony held at cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Theโค event celebrated theโฃ enduring legacies of grunge pioneers, garage rock revivalists,โ and hip-hop innovators, โalongside honorees recognized for their contributions as songwriters, producers, and instrumentalists.
This year’sโฃ class reflects the Hall’s ongoing effort to broaden its scope, โrecognizing the evolving landscape of popular music and acknowledging โthe profoundโ impact of genres beyond conventional rock. The โinduction ceremony featured โa star-studded lineup of presenters and performers, paying tribute to the inductees’ โคartistry and influence.
Outkast, the groundbreaking hip-hop duo of โคAndrรฉ 3000 and Big Boi, where inducted by Janelle Monรกe, who performed a medley including “Hey Ya!” and “Theโ Way You Move” with Sleepy Brown. The duo also shared the stage withโ Tyler,the Creator,and Killer Mike for performances of “O.B.” andโค “The โwhole World,” respectively.
Soundgarden, central to the 1990s grunge movement, was represented by surviving members Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron. Chris Cornell‘sโ legacy was honored throughout the evening.
The White Stripes, Jack and Meg White’s minimalist garage rock duo,โ were inducted, celebrating their raw โฃenergy and influentialโฃ sound.
Beyond the headlining acts, the ceremony also honoredโค several musical pioneers โขin special categories. Warren Zevon, Lenny Waronker, Carol Kaye, Thom Bell, and Nicky Hopkins were inducted for their significant โฃcontributions to the industry. Paul โขRodgers of Bad Company was unable to attend due to illness, with performances of “Feel like Makin’ Love” and โ”Can’tโ Get Enough”โ led by drummer Simon Kirke andโ featuring assistance โfrom Chris โคRobinson ofโฃ The Black Crowes, Bryan Adams, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and Nancy Wilson. Joe Cocker was remembered by Bryan Adams, who lauded Cocker’s ability to transform songs, while Elliott welcomed Salt-N-Pepa as the first female rapโ group inducted into the Hall.
Cyndi Lauper wasโข also inducted, with Roan deliveringโข the induction speech and performing alongside Lauper on โ”True Colors,” “Time After Time” with RAYE,โ andโ “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” featuring Avril Lavigne and Salt-N-Pepa. Lauper emphasized the importance of women in the industry, stating, “My shoulders are broad enough to have the women that come after โฃme stand on โคmine, and the little kid in me still believes that rock’n’rollโข can save the world.”
The evening began with aโ tribute to Sly Stone featuring Wonder, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Flea, โBeck, Maxwell, and Jennifer Hudson performing a medley of Stone’s hits. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys was also honored with a โperformance of “God Only Knows” by โขJohn, Tom Petty keyboardist Benmontโค Tench, drummer Kenny Aronoff, and bassist Don Was.
