Olivia Rodrigo led an illustrious roster of performers at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony held on Saturday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event attracted a constellation of distinguished figures from the global music industry who convened to honor the year’s inductees.
Among the honorees was the acclaimed 2000s rock duo, The White Stripes, comprised of Jack White and his former spouse, Meg White. Ms. Rodrigo, aged 22, who has publicly acknowledged The White Stripes as her favorite band, delivered a musical tribute to the group. She performed We’re Going to Be Friends, a 2002 track from their celebrated album White Blood Cells, alongside fellow artist Feist. Adorned in a glittering burgundy minidress accented with a silver stripe, she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, exuding pride and reverence for the occasion.
Musicians Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots also rendered a tribute to The White Stripes through their performance of Seven Nation Army. The induction address for Jack White was delivered by rock icon Iggy Pop, who lauded White’s artistry and credited Meg White’s foundational support in shaping the band’s signature sound.
Doja Cat commanded the stage for the induction of 1990s hip-hop duo OutKast, performing a sultry rendition of Ms. Johnson while attired in a tiger-print bodysuit and a fur boa. Despite a brief technical or lyrical lapse during her performance, she was joined by Janelle Monáe, who electrified the audience with a lively rendition of Hey Ya!. The tribute medley also featured Tyler, The Creator and Sleepy Brown, culminating in a performance by OutKast themselves. Their induction speech was delivered by Donald Glover (professionally known as Childish Gambino), who praised their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik for its profound artistic influence.
The evening opened with a powerhouse performance by Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, and Maxwell, honoring the legendary Sly and the Family Stone, inductees of 1993. Additional tributes followed, including Leon Thomas III and Beck, who also participated in the homage.
The 1970s rock band Bad Company was similarly recognized, though frontman Paul Rodgers was unable to attend due to health concerns, having recently recovered from multiple strokes. Their induction speech was delivered by Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. The tribute medley featured performances by Bryan Adams, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, with Bad Company’s drummer Simon Kirke joining the ensemble.
A posthumous Musical Influence Award was conferred upon Warren Zevon, introduced by David Letterman, who reflected on their long-standing professional and personal association. Brandon Flowers of The Killers paid musical tribute with a rendition of Lawyers, Guns and Money.
The hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa — DJ Spinderella, Cheryl “Salt” James, and Sandra “Pepa” Denton — also received the Musical Influence Award, presented by Missy Elliott, who described them as “the bricklayers of the foundation that holds hip-hop together.” The trio followed their induction with a live performance of their 1987 hit Push It, wearing their iconic jackets from the song’s music video.
The ceremony concluded with the induction of Soundgarden, honored in the absence of their late frontman Chris Cornell, whose legacy was commemorated with solemn respect and enduring admiration.#newsafro_
