The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was once again a rousing success. While some might have issues with who the Hall chooses to induct, it certainly knows how to put on a show. Many of the performing decisions were brilliant.
The ceremony was shown on Disney+ and can be watched on replay there. If you want to wait until January 1, you can. It would be shown on ABC. Hulu will stream it beginning on January 2.
And yes, absolutely, the 2025 ceremony should be watched. Some performers might have been a mismatch, coupled with the musical artist being inducted, but there were no bad performances. Here is who did what for whom.
Who inducted whom at the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony (and who did the songs)
Bad Company
Inducted by: Mick Fleetwood
Joined in performance by: Nancy Wilson of Heart and Joe Perry of Aerosmith (guitars) and Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes (vocals)
Vocalist Paul Rodgers couldn't participate in the ceremony for health reasons, but the choice of Robinson on vocals was brilliant. He is the closest thing to Rodgers working in rock music today, as both deliver bluesy vocals with a bunch of emotion.
Chubby Checker
Inducted by: Video tribute
Did not perform (accepted remotely)
Checker, like Rodgers, also couldn't participate. It would have been nice to have some musicians perform some of his tunes, though.
Joe Cocker
Inducted by: Bryan Adams
Medley of songs performed by: Teddy Swims, Tedeschi Trucks Band, along with Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Chris Robinson, and Nathaniel Rateliff (on “With A Little Help from My Friends”)
Much like Bad Company, the musicians who performed Cocker's tunes were a wise choice. The addition of Rateliff was a sneaky-great move.
Cyndi Lauper
Inducted by: Chappell Roan
Joined in performance by: Avril Lavigne, RAYE, and Salt-N-Pepa
The list of musicians in Lauper shows the range of her draw. She was always much more than just a pop performer. She could rock with soul. She still does.
Outkast
Inducted by: Donald Glover
Joined in performance by: Big Boi, Janelle Monáe, JID, Doja Cat, Killer Mike, and Sleepy Brown
Hip-hop is beginning to get its due from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some may not like that, but there simply is no rock without the great influence of African-American music. The Rock Hall giving back is the right thing to do.
Salt-N-Pepa
Inducted by: Missy Elliott
Joined in performance by: En Vogue
Simply and succinct. En Vogue did a wonderous job of doing to the songs.
Soundgarden
Inducted by: Jim Carrey
Joined in performance doing vocals for Chris Cornell: Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless, Brandi Carlile, Cornell’s daughter, Toni, and Nancy Wilson
The genius with the vocalists is having female performers. Cornell had the range to do pretty much anything, but the performance proved for the infinite time that women can rock, too. That includes Cornell's daughter, who was terrific.
Warren Zevon
Inducted by: David Letterman
Songs performed by: The Killers
Letterman was a friend and long-time fan of Zevon, so he was a no-brainer to do the induction, and he did so excellently. The Killers were solid, but not the perfect replacement. Maybe someone like Father John Misty would have been better.
White Stripes
Inducted by: Iggy Pop
Songs performed by: Olivia Rodrigo, Feist, and Twenty One Pilots
As expected, Meg White did not appear. Jack White accepted on the duo's behalf. The performers who did the White Stripes tracks were always bound to be a bit underwhelming. The White Stripes are difficult to copy.