The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomed a stellar lineup of inductees this year, celebrating the enduring legacy of music icons such as Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, The White Stripes, and Soundgarden. These artists joined the pantheon of legendary acts, cementing their place in music history. Cyndi Lauper, known for her vibrant punk aesthetic and timeless hits like ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and ‘Time After Time,’ was introduced by Chappell Roan, who praised her four-octave range and fearless individuality. The White Stripes, celebrated for their anthems ‘Seven Nation Army’ and ‘Fell in Love with a Girl,’ were honored with a heartfelt tribute by Iggy Pop, who highlighted the band’s foundation of love in their music. Jack White accepted the award on behalf of the duo, dedicating it to the marginalized and forgotten. Outkast, the Atlanta hip-hop duo behind chart-toppers like ‘Hey Ya’ and ‘Ms. Jackson,’ and Soundgarden, the Seattle grunge pioneers of ‘Black Hole Sun,’ were also inducted, showcasing the diversity of musical genres represented. Posthumous honors were bestowed upon Joe Cocker, whose soulful renditions of ‘You Are So Beautiful’ and ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ left an indelible mark on music history. Other inductees included arena rockers Bad Company and ‘The Twist’ singer Chubby Checker. Salt-N-Pepa, the groundbreaking hip-hop trio, received the Musical Influence Award for their empowering hits ‘Push It’ and ‘Shoop,’ with Missy Elliott lauding their foundational role in hip-hop. The event also recognized Nicky Hopkins, the English session pianist whose work with The Rolling Stones and The Beatles shaped iconic tracks like ‘Sympathy for the Devil.’ The ceremony featured electrifying performances by Elton John, Bryan Adams, Olivia Rodrigo, and more, while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland unveiled an exhibit showcasing memorabilia from this year’s inductees.