Cyndi Lauper gives empowering speech at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction

Earlier this year, the inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were revealed, live on American Idol. This year there were seven bands and artists announced in the Performers Category, along with Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon receiving the Musical Influence Award.

The Musical Excellence Award went to Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye, with the Ahmet Ertegun Award (named after the co-founder of Atlantic Records) being given to Lenny Waronker.

Now, seven months after the recipients were announced, they have officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, at a ceremony which took place over the weekend, and is available to re-watch on Disney+.

In April, 80s pop star Cyndi Lauper was announced in the performer category, as one of this year's inductees, along with Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes.

At the ceremony, which was held in Los Angeles, Cyndi took to the stage to give an empowering speech. She told the audience: "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 stand on mine.

"The other thing that 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 and we have done that."

She continued: "Rock and roll is a big, wonderful quilt of a lot of different styles of music, thank goodness. All of that music has influenced me and my work, and without it, I don’t know what kind of music I’d be making.

"So I just want to say, now of all times, let’s come together again and do good in the world because it needs us."

As well as being officially being inducted, Cyndi performed her iconic song 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' on stage along with RAYE, Avril Lavigne and Salt-N-Pepa.

Who has been inducted this year?

Take a look through the inductees.

At the time the inductees were announced, John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, said: "Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever. Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps."

When was the awards ceremony?

Despite being announced in April, the artists were awarded at a prestigious ceremony in Los Angeles, on 8th November 2025, and it is now available to stream on Disney+.

Disney+ is available from £5.99 per month – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime. There’s something for everyone to watch, adding new TV series, blockbuster movies and exclusive Originals throughout the year under its six brands: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star.

Take a look at some of Cyndi Lauper's biggest songs:

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