Big names, surprise pairings and cross-generational moments set to define the anniversary.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is pulling out all the stops for its 40th-anniversary induction ceremony.
On November 8 at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater, a star-studded roster of presenters and performers — from Doja Cat to Elton John and Olivia Rodrigo — will help celebrate a slate of inductees that spans classic rock, hip-hop, alternative and beyond.
Alongside household names like Elton John and late-night icon David Letterman, the ceremony’s early lineup reads like a music-obsessed mash-up: Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Beck, Brandi Carlile, Flea, Iggy Pop, J.I.D, Killer Mike, Maxwell, Missy Elliott, Questlove, RAYE, Sleepy Brown, Taylor Momsen, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots.
Organizers say more special guests will be revealed closer to the event — a reminder that the Hall’s anniversary plans are still building momentum.
This year’s inductees reflect rock & roll’s messy, inspiring diversity. In the Performer category, the list runs from the blues-soaked grit of Joe Cocker and the glam of Chubby Checker to the raw alt-energy of Soundgarden and the garage-revival punch of The White Stripes.
Hip-hop and R&B influence get their due with Outkast and Salt-N-Pepa, while Cyndi Lauper brings pop-culture cachet and Bad Company adds classic-rock cred. Industry and session heavyweights — including Thom Bell and Carol Kaye — are honored for Musical Excellence, underscoring the Hall’s broader mission beyond just headline acts.
As a music writer, I find this mix both satisfying and telling: the Hall is leaning into storytelling over nostalgia, pairing legacy acts with contemporary tastemakers.
Having artists like Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo share a stage (even as presenters) signals an appetite to connect younger audiences to the past, while veterans such as Elton John lend a throughline to rock history. It’s a balancing act — celebrating canonical names without turning the night into a museum exhibit.
The ceremony will stream live coast to coast on Disney+ (times vary by zone) and will be repackaged into a primetime ABC special airing January 1, 2026. Whether you tune in for surprise collaborations or emotional acceptance speeches, this 40th anniversary looks set to honor rock’s contradictions: loud, tender, influential — and always evolving.
Who are you most excited to see inducted or perform? Share your pick.
