Overview:
Los Angeles was rocked this past Saturday by the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony in Los Angeles. Once again, the contribution of musicians from various genres was represented. The music of inductees like Cyndi Lauper and Outkast performed and noted for their influence on succeeding artists, even those of a different musical style. However, as was seen by the appearances of Jim Carrey and David Letterman, musical inspiration extends to areas beyond the concert halls and sound stages.
The 40th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place this past Saturday at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. It was a fun night that featured performances that showcased just how influential this year’s inductees were to both various genres of music and even pop culture, for that matter.
Cyndi Lauper Proves Girls Can Have Fun
Music that Keeps Resonating ‘Time After Time’
28-year-old singer-songwriter Raye celebrated Cyndi Lauper’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction by joining the pop princess for a rendition of “Time after Time.” This coming together of singers from eras over 40 years apart from each other shows that no matter how much time passes, the music of Cyndi Lauper keeps resonating.
Celebration of a ‘Fun’ Song
Cyndi Lauper proved that one of her trademark songs might be true this past Saturday as she and Avril Lavigne exchanged verses of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” At the end of the song, Lauper also got a helping hand from Salt-N-Pepa, who, coincidentally, were also inductees.
Salt-N-Pepa Mixes It Up
A Musical Solution
Legendary group Salt-N-Pepa took their rightful place in the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by revealing just how versatile rap and hip-hop music really are. They joined En Vogue for renditions of the funk-inspired “Shoop” and “Push It,” an electronically induced hip-hop song.
Breaking Down the Barriers of Hip Hop
Salt-N-Pepa not only proved the broad range of their musical style. They broke down musical barriers by showing that women can succeed in the world of rap and hip-hop just as much as men. Without Salt-N-Pepa, there’s a good chance that groups like TLC, Xscape, and many others may never have risen to prominence.
A Garden Finally Blooms
Seattle Legends
The musical contributions of rock band Soundgarden, also 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, were also seen this past Friday. The grunge rockers electrified the stage by performing “Black Hole Sun” and “Rusty Cage” with Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and Taylor Momsen, and “Black Hole Sun” with Brandi Carlile and Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains).
Grunge Brings Out the Grinch
The collaborative effort on Saturday saw a reunion that extended beyond just the members of Soundgarden. Taylor Momsen reunited with her “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” co-star Jim Carrey, who, coincidentally, inducted Soundgarden.
Ace Ventura Knows How to Rock, Too
Carrey’s deep admiration for Soundgarden’s music can be traced back to a 1996 episode of Saturday Night Live. Hosting the show, Carrey insisted that Soundgarden be that night’s musical entertainment.
No ‘Outcast’ to Different Styles of Music
R&B and Pop Crossover
Outkast joined this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class with performances from artists of all kinds. Doja Cat, whose performance of “Mrs. Jackson” was a nod to how Outkast’s music could cross over from R&B to pop easily.
Guitar Tribute
Grammy-nominated singer Janelle Monáe performed Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” a song that was very much influenced by funk music. Monáe performed the song with an acoustic guitar, which added a different layer to the song than previously heard.
Rap Meets Rock
Outkast was among the many rap/hip-hop artists who incorporated elements of rock. The song “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)” was performed by Tyler, the Creator, at Saturday night’s ceremony.
Mark of the Motor City on the White Stripes
Iggy Pop Recognizes His ‘Army’ of Followers
Before giving his induction speech for The White Stripes this past Friday, legendary Detroit rocker Iggy Pop vocalized the guitar riff to the band’s legendary song “Seven Nation Army.” The contrast of the ages of Iggy Pop and Jack White shows that even bands’ musical influences are taking note.
Humble Origins
Although not performing at the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony, Jack White gave an acceptance speech in which he recalled his beginnings in Detroit. Like Iggy Pop, The White Stripes were also influenced by the Detroit Cobras, the Paybacks, and Rocket 455.
A Man That Blended the Dark with the Light
Amazing Songwriting
The late Warren Zevon received a posthumous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on Friday. Zevon’s style of songwriting was unique in that it combined elements of both dark and humorous themes and focused on high and low culture. Like how Soundgarden found a kinship with Jim Carrey, Zevon also left a mark on entertainers outside the music world.
A Toast from a Late Night Host
Zevon was memorialized by his friend, late-night TV host David Letterman. In a speech mixed with both humor and sadness, Letterman recounted how he received a guitar from Zevon after the latter’s final appearance on the Late Show.
Tributes
Songs Set in Stone
Sly Stone (Sly and the Family Stone) was one of the many musicians we lost in 2025. The ceremony on Friday featured an all-star tribute to Stone by Beck, Flea, Questlove, and several guest vocalists.
Going to the Beach One Last Time
The memory of the late Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson was captured by Elton John with his performance of “God Only Knows.” It was a perfect way to give music lovers one last ‘beach’ trip.
Grand Finale
Music Never Dies
The conclusion of the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame saw a tribute to another posthumous inductee, Joe Cocker. The song “Feelin’ Alright” was covered by the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Teddy Swims.
A Fitting End with a Little Help From Friends
Cyndi Lauper and The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson joined in on the fun by helping out with a rendition of “A Little Help from My Friends,” a Beatles song that Joe Cocker had redone.
Hall of Fame Thoughts
The 40th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony proved to be a spectacular one. Once again, it was an occasion that showcased a broad range of artists and the ways that their work has inspired so many different forms of music.
I feel that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony will eventually let in musicians they have previously overlooked. In 2014, the world was shocked when KISS finally got inducted. Before you know it, I think that even the likes of Mötley Crüe will be on stage.
Sources:
“Push It.” (1986). Hot, Cool, & Vicious. Salt-N-Pepa
“Shoop.” (1993). Very Necessary. Salt-N-Pepa.
“Mrs. Jackson.”(2000). Stankonia. Outkast.
“Hey Ya.” (2003). Speakerboxxx/the Love Below. Outkast.
“B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad.)” (2000). Stankonia. Outkast.
https://www.vulture.com/article/jim-carrey-taylor-momsen-grinch-reunion-2025-rock-hall.html
