The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 is an excellent mix of almost all the genres and subgenres that make up what rock and roll is all about. There are heavy rock, hip-hop, soulful performers from the 1960s and 1970s, and pure pop artists. Among the inductees this year is Bad Company.
Bad Company was a supergroup that formed in 1973 and was made up of some of the former members of Free, Mott the Hoople, and King Crimson. The band's signature sound might have been the voice of singer Paul Rodgers.
Rodgers blended a classic rock style with an R&B feel. He knew how and when to emote, and when to lay back and let the music take the listener to a different level. He and the band were brilliant, especially in the early years.
Bad Company's Paul Rodgers will miss the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Unfortunately, in recent years, Rodgers hasn't been in the best of health. He had a major stroke in 2016 and another in 2019. He also told CBS Mornings in 2023 that he has had 11 minor strokes, too. He was left without the ability to speak after one, but has since regained that ability. He can still sing, too.
The issue is the stress of the ceremony itself. The travel, interviews, and performance might be too much for the 75-year-old. Because of that, he has decided to withdraw from being a part of the ceremony.
He wrote recently on Instagram, "My hope was to be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health. I have no problem singing, it's the stress of everything else. Thanks for understanding. Simon (Kirke) along with some outstanding musicians will be stepping in for me – guaranteed to rock."
The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 8, at 5 pm PT and will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The show can be streamed live on Disney+, with a re-broadcast on ABC on January 1 and Hulu on January 2.
The 2025 inductees in the performer category include:
- Bad Company
- Chubby Checker
- Joe Cocker
- Cyndi Lauper
- Outkast
- Soundgarden
- The White Stripes
2025 Musical Influence Award:
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Warren Zevon
2025 Musical Excellence Award:
- Thom Bell
- Nicky Hopkins
- Carol Kaye
Ahmet Ertegun Award (Non-Performer lifetime achievement award):
- Lenny Waronker
There is a long list of special guests and presenters. It includes Avril Lavigne, Beck, Brandi Carlile, Bryan Adams, Chappell Roan, David Letterman, Doja Cat, Donald Glover, Elton John, En Vogue, Feist, Flea, Gina Schock, Hurby Luv Bug Azo, Janelle Monae, Jerry Cantrell, Jim Carrey, Joe Perry, Iggy Pop, J.I.D, the Killers, Killer Mike, Lisa Coleman, Maxwell, Mick Fleetwood, Mike McCready, Missy Elliott, Nancy Wilson, Nathaniel Rateliff, Olivia Rodrigo, Questlove, RAYE, Sleepy Brown, Taylor Momsen, Teddy Swims, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Twenty One Pilots.