Chappell Roan and the Killers Join Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Guest List of Performers and Presenters

The roster for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 40th anniversary induction has expanded with two significant new names: celebrated rock band The Killers and the rapidly ascending pop artist Chappell Roan. They join a previously revealed slate of 18 distinguished guests, including music and entertainment icons like Elton John, Olivia Rodrigo, Missy Elliott, and David Letterman. The ceremony is set for November 8th at Los Angeles's Peacock Theater, a downtown venue renowned for hosting prestigious televised events.

In keeping with tradition, the specific pairings of presenters and inductees remain a closely guarded secret, a policy that consistently fuels intense speculation among fans. This is particularly compelling for a new star like Chappell Roan, whose career trajectory was launched into the stratosphere by the viral success of her single "Good Luck, Babe!"—it leaves everyone wondering which legendary artist she will honor. The Killers, the Las Vegas-formed band responsible for enduring anthems like "Mr. Brightside," similarly contribute to the evening's suspense.

The artists being honored this year form a diverse and influential class. The performer inductees are Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, and Joe Cocker. They are joined by Chubby Checker, whose 1960 single "The Twist" not only sparked an international dance phenomenon but also holds the unique distinction of being the only record to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on two separate occasions. The committee-selected award recipients include the groundbreaking hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa and the late Warren Zevon for Musical Influence. Honorees for Musical Excellence are songwriter Thom Bell, session pianist Nicky Hopkins, and pioneering bassist Carol Kaye, a musician whose work on countless classic recordings from the 1960s, including hits for The Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel, helped define the "Wrecking Crew" studio sound. Industry executive Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

For those unable to watch live, the ceremony will be accessible across several viewing platforms. The event will be streamed live nationwide on Disney+ beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. A specially produced prime-time broadcast will then air on ABC on New Year's Day, with on-demand streaming on Hulu commencing January 2nd. This multi-tiered distribution strategy aims to capture the widest possible audience for one of the music industry's premier events. As music historian Dr. Evelyn Shaw noted, "The secrecy surrounding the presenter-inductee matchups often yields the night's most iconic moments, creating powerful, cross-generational connections through performance." This approach not only honors the past but also strategically engages younger viewers by featuring contemporary stars alongside the legends they admire.