LOS ANGELES – Cyndi Lauper and Jack White made acceptance speeches at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony that urged viewers to follow their dreams regardless of limitations.
Highlights from the event included performances by Stevie Wonder and Elton John, who honored Sly Stone and Brian Wilson, respectively. David Letterman inducted his friend, the late Warren Zevon into the hall.
“I know that I stand on the shoulders of the women in the industry that came before me and my shoulders are broad enough to have the women that come after me to stand on mine,” Lauper said in her speech. The veteran rocker was introduced by Chappell Roan at the event.
But Lauper said she had a more direct message to her viewers.
“The other thing I thought was really important, which is why I really came here tonight, is to tell you that the little kid in me still believes that Rock and Roll can save the world,” Lauper said. “And Rock and Roll is a big wonderful quilt of a lot of styles of music, thank goodness, and all of that has influenced me and my work and without it I don’t know what kind of music I’d be making. I just want to say let’s come together and do good in the world because it needs us.”
Jack White who accepted the honors on behalf of The White Stripes, attended the ceremony without former White Stripes partner Meg White, whom he said helped him write his speech.
“Get your hands dirty, drop the screens and get out in your garage or your little room and get obsessed,” White said. “Get obsessed with something, you know, get passionate. We all want to share in what you might create.”
In addition to Lauper and The White Stripes, Rock & Roll 2025 Inductees also include Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. The Musical Influence Award goes to Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon. Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye are honored with the Musical Excellence Award, and Lenny Waronker is the recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Go to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website for details.