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Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The inductees to this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. From the names who made the list to when the ceremony will air on television, this is everything you need to know. The Context The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was first established in 1983 by Ahmet Ertegun, the founder and chairman of Atlantic Records. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is also a museum located in Cleveland, Ohio, that documents the history of rock music. Every year since 1986, a group of artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The inductees have in recent years, been criticized for their lack of diversity. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation has also declined over time. In 1989, BIPOC artists represented 55.8 percent of inductees, but by 2019 this dropped to 32.7 percent. Who Are the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees? Cyndi Lauper The American singer and songwriter will be inducted this year. Lauper's debut studio album She's So Unusual (1983) was the first debut album by a female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Now 71, Lauper has won three of the four major American entertainment awards—two Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Tony Award. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. Taking to Instagram after the news, Lauper wrote on Instagram that she is "humbled," to join her heroes like Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Chaka Kahn and Joni Mitchell. "Women have made so many important contributions to music," she wrote. "A win for one of us is a win for all of us." Archive Photo of Cyndi Lauper. Archive Photo of Cyndi American hip-hop duo and Hey Ya! hitmakers Outkast, which comprises Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin), who are widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time will also be inducted. Outkast is also one of the most successful hip-hop acts, with certified sales of 20 million records between six studio albums and a compilation album, as well as six Grammy Awards. Rappers André 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton) of Outkast at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago in October 1998. Rappers André 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton) of Outkast at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago in October 1998.) The White Stripes American rock duo The White Stripes, who were a leading force in the indie rock and garage rock revival from the '00s will be inducted. The White Stripes at 99X's The Big Rock at Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta on June 20, 2003. The White Stripes at 99X's The Big Rock at Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta on June 20, 2003. Frank Mullen/WireImage Soundgarden Grunge pioneers Soundgarden will also be inducted. Their fourth album Superunknown debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and featured the Grammy Award Winning single, "Black Hole Sun." The group was founded in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell who died in 2017. Archive photo of Soundgarden. Archive photo of Soundgarden. Krasner/Trebitz/Redferns Chubby Checker The American rock and roll singer known for popularizing "The Twist" is on the inductee list this year. Joe Cocker The late English singer, who rose to stardom with a cover of the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends" was known for his bluesy voice and dynamic stage presence. Bad Company The British rock supergroup, which features members of the bands Free (Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke), Mott the Hopple (Mick Ralphs) and King Crimson (Boz Burrel), which formed in 1973 will be inducted. When Does the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony Air? The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on November 8 and will be livestreamed on Disney+. Who Is Being Honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025? In addition to the inductees, there are awards given at the ceremony. This is who will be honored this year. Musical Influence Award: Salt-N-Peppa Warren Zevon Musical Excellence Award: Thom Bell Nicky Hopkins Carol Kaye Ahmet Ertegun Award: Lenny Waronker When Is the Next Group of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Announced? Artists become eligible for the induction 25 years after their first commercial recording. This means the 2026 class will include artists who released their first recording in 2001. Some notable newly eligible names for 2026 include: The Strokes, Alicia Keys, The National The Streets and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This year, artists who were part of the longlist but did not make the cut for induction included: Oasis, Mariah Carey, Joy Division/New Order, Phish, Billy Idol and The Black Crowes. These artists could be considered for induction again next year as artists can be nominated and considered multiple times.
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pop history's 10 most legendary debut albums
Launching a music career is tough — but some artists hit it out of the park on their very first try. When a debut album is truly iconic, it doesn't just make noise — it cements the artist's place among the industry's elite and sets the tone for an unforgettable career. Across pop, rock, and rap, these debut albums not only introduced fresh voices but reshaped the music landscape entirely. For decades, artists like Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, and Blink-182 have set the gold standard. Newcomers have faced towering expectations, but a legendary debut ensures they won't be forgotten. Here's a look at ten debut albums that changed everything. Cyndi Lauper — She's So Unusual (1983) When rock ruled the early '80s, Cyndi Lauper burst onto the scene with a blast of color and energy. MTV turned "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" into a cultural anthem, and "Time After Time" secured her first No. 1 hit. With multiple hits and two Grammys, Lauper proved pop music still had the power to lead. Olivia Rodrigo — SOUR (2021) Originally set to be an EP, SOUR expanded into a full album after Rodrigo's "drivers license" became a global phenomenon. The record smashed streaming records, landed two No. 1 singles, and confirmed Rodrigo as pop's newest powerhouse. Lady Gaga — The Fame (2008) Lady Gaga took self-expression to another level with her debut, The Fame. Featuring megahits like "Just Dance" and "Poker Face," the album rocketed her to global stardom, launching a career filled with boundary-pushing performances, chart-toppers, and even Hollywood success. Bruno Mars — Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010) Before he was selling out stadiums, Bruno Mars was charming the world with heartfelt hits like "Grenade" and "Just the Way You Are." His debut not only topped charts worldwide but positioned him as one of pop's smoothest hitmakers. Christina Aguilera — Christina Aguilera (1999) After her breakout moment singing "Reflection" for Disney's Mulan, Christina Aguilera's debut album solidified her as a vocal powerhouse. Songs like "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants" sent her straight to the top of the Billboard 200, launching her into superstardom. Mariah Carey — Mariah Carey (1990) From day one, Mariah Carey showcased her jaw-dropping vocal range. Her debut album dominated the charts, producing four No. 1 singles and remaining atop the Billboard 200 for 11 straight weeks. It was the beginning of a legendary, record-breaking career. George Michael — Faith (1987) Leaving Wham! behind, George Michael went solo and proved he was a true musical genius. Writing and producing nearly every song on Faith, he topped charts and created one of the best-selling albums of all time, earning diamond certification in the U.S. NSYNC — NSYNC (1997) In the heyday of '90s boy bands, NSYNC carved out their place with infectious tracks like "I Want You Back" and "Tearin' Up My Heart." Their self-titled debut album quickly climbed the charts and helped set the stage for pop's teen idol takeover. Britney Spears — ...Baby One More Time (1999) Few debuts have made the impact that Britney Spears did. Her iconic single "...Baby One More Time" topped charts worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling singles ever. The album's massive success cemented her as the face of pop's new millennium. Whitney Houston — Whitney Houston (1985) Whitney Houston's voice captivated the world from her very first album. With three No. 1 singles and over 25 million copies sold worldwide, her debut wasn't just successful — it made her one of the most celebrated artists in music history.
The Guardian
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Cyndi Lauper review – 80s pop eccentric hasn't changed a bit
Fandom isn't a good look on a critic; we're supposed to be sober and impartial, analytical and measured. What to do, then, when called upon to review your favourite idol, the singer who first turned you on to the power of pop? Judicious rumination or tinny screams of delight? There's room for both in this swan song from 80s pop eccentric Cyndi Lauper, as irrepressible here as when I saw her as a teenager, then touring her new album True Colours. She's had an illustrious career, including a side gig composing musicals – Kinky Boots, and soon an adaptation of 80s workplace comedy Working Girl – but the bulk of her hits are drawn from her first two albums, including the astonishing debut She's So Unusual. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – the song that gives this farewell tour its name – is also by far Lauper's most famous – though the audience has to wait till the very end for it, in a riot of colour and light directly inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. In the buildup, we get a pockmarked history of Lauper's roots and musical inclinations. Those less familiar with her are likely to be shocked by her power and versatility, her voice ranging across blues, jazz, rock and country without ever losing its bright pop sensibility. The night opens with the quirky, infectious She Bop, followed quickly by The Goonies 'R' Good Enough – a song she refused to play live for many years until she was badgered by Australian fans into including it. Both are performed with elan and vigour, Lauper's signature jittery moves and syncopated inflections demonstrating the idiosyncrasy of her talent. I Drove All Night comes soon after, sultry and looping, her voice still carrying plenty of heft and texture. Throughout, the show is peppered with numbers from later albums in a retrospective of Lauper's outre career. We get an excellent rendition of Who Let In the Rain, from her 1993 record Hatful of Stars, the LED screens providing a torrential background to the sweetly melancholic ballad. Sally's Pigeons, also from that album, is supported by a vivid recollection of her childhood in blue-collar Queens, including a video essay of memories and associations. A massive part of Lauper's appeal as a live performer, apart from the sheer virtuosity of her voice, is the rambling, discursive monologues that bookend many of the songs. They give a sense not only of the warmth and humility of the woman but the audacity and authenticity of the artist, who shot like a strange comet from the working-class Italian-American family of her youth. There is something endearingly homespun about the show, like an extremely well-resourced slide night. Some of the biggest hits are, conversely, the biggest disappointments. On Time after Time, Lauper is joined by Tones and I – a welcome addition, as the artist's voice compliments and augments Lauper's own – but the delivery is halting and under-rehearsed. The finale, with the band joined onstage by support act The Veronicas (excellent), is likewise a little too shaggy for its own good, with missed cues and false starts nibbling away at the momentum. When the nostalgia hits the sweet spot, however, something wondrous alchemises, transplanting the audience back whole generations while managing to feel vivid and contemporary. When You Were Mine is an early triumph, as is Change of Heart – both minor hits from her first two albums that strike me as quintessential Lauper songs, driving and soulful, shimmering and optimistic even in their wretchedness. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Best of all, for my money, is Money Changes Everything, Lauper's cover of a Brains song that – like I Drove All Night, which was written for and eventually recorded by Roy Orbison – she totally makes her own. Those ringing guitar chords and persistent beat perfectly demonstrate Lauper's rockabilly roots and punk leanings, the song building to a rage-fuelled scream as multiple versions of the singer loom in screens, concertina-like, behind her. A stroll into the centre of the cavernous arena for a rendition of Shine – the eponymous song from her eighth studio album and one of her finest late career numbers – allows a shift in intimacy and engagement. For her penultimate act, Lauper follows with True Colours as a multi-coloured piece of cloth floats evocatively above her head. Written at the height of the Aids epidemic, the song is simple and anthemic, the despair under the surface threatening to emerge throughout. It's honest and moving. Honesty is Lauper's superpower, a stark contrast to the slick corporatism of Madonna, with whom she's often unfairly compared. This is a big, bold, highly visual arena show, but it also highlights something essential about Lauper: she's first and foremost a musician, supple and savvy but ultimately joyous. Her feminism is collective rather than self-aggrandising, her allyship earnest rather than performative. It's truly heartening to see how little she's changed. Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour continues across Australia in April before heading to Japan and the US
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cyndi Lauper review – still showing her true colours in fun farewell tour
Within 10 minutes of appearing on stage, Cyndi Lauper has sung about masturbation, played a tuneless recorder solo, accidentally hit a crew member with said instrument, and given a rambling speech about wrestlers, the Goonies and how, after more than 40 years in music, this will be her last tour. 'I figured if I was going out,' she says while sporting a mint-green wig, 'I'd go out with a bang.' That's certainly one way to describe the approach to the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, Lauper's first (and now final) arena shows since 1987. The tour began last year in North America, although that time on the road hasn't reined in the chaos: the show is all over the place. Along with the incident involving the recorder, Lauper is plagued by technical difficulties, poor sound that buries her voice beneath an admittedly slick band, an uneven setlist, dodgy costumes, and her own garrulous monologues. For anyone else it could be disastrous. But as Lauper begins another anecdote about a breakup with boyfriend and the movie Poltergeist, she wins you over with her charming and squeaky New York drawl. 'I'm only talking to you because I don't want you think that all this is bigger than you and me connecting,' she says. When things align, the show is excellent: material from She's So Unusual is a highlight, Lauper's still impressive voice punching through her fizzy cover of Prince's When You Were Mine, then delicately caressing the soft, pillowy Time After Time. There's moving vulnerability in an a cappella take on Fearless, revved-up passion during I Drove All Night, soaring euphoria in the new age strum of Sisters of Avalon, and a poignant performance of True Colors staged alongside a version of artist Daniel Wurtzel's Air Fountain installation. It's just enough to distract from the mess – but then again, Lauper has often left slick perfectionism in the hands of her peers. During her final and most famous song, the aim of the night becomes clear: even at 71 years old, this girl just wants to have fun. • At the O2, London, on 11 February; then touring.
The Guardian
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Cyndi Lauper review – still showing her true colours in fun farewell tour
Within 10 minutes of appearing on stage, Cyndi Lauper has sung about masturbation, played a tuneless recorder solo, accidentally hit a crew member with said instrument, and given a rambling speech about wrestlers, the Goonies and how, after more than 40 years in music, this will be her last tour. 'I figured if I was going out,' she says while sporting a mint-green wig, 'I'd go out with a bang.' That's certainly one way to describe the approach to the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, Lauper's first (and now final) arena shows since 1987. The tour began last year in North America, although that time on the road hasn't reined in the chaos: the show is all over the place. Along with the incident involving the recorder, Lauper is plagued by technical difficulties, poor sound that buries her voice beneath an admittedly slick band, an uneven setlist, dodgy costumes, and her own garrulous monologues. For anyone else it could be disastrous. But as Lauper begins another anecdote about a breakup with boyfriend and the movie Poltergeist, she wins you over with her charming and squeaky New York drawl. 'I'm only talking to you because I don't want you think that all this is bigger than you and me connecting,' she says. When things align, the show is excellent: material from She's So Unusual is a highlight, Lauper's still impressive voice punching through her fizzy cover of Prince's When You Were Mine, then delicately caressing the soft, pillowy Time After Time. There's moving vulnerability in an a cappella take on Fearless, revved-up passion during I Drove All Night, soaring euphoria in the new age strum of Sisters of Avalon, and a poignant performance of True Colors staged alongside a version of artist Daniel Wurtzel's Air Fountain installation. It's just enough to distract from the mess – but then again, Lauper has often left slick perfectionism in the hands of her peers. During her final and most famous song, the aim of the night becomes clear: even at 71 years old, this girl just wants to have fun. At the O2, London, on 11 February; then touring.
