Dennis DeYoung Calls Out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame After 2025 Ceremony
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place on November 8th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Big names were honored this year, including Cher, The White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company, Soundgarden, and OutKast. It was a night filled with music, tributes, and emotional moments — but not everyone was impressed.
One person who had a lot to say was Dennis DeYoung, former singer of Styx. After the event, he took to Facebook to share his frustrations about how the Rock Hall operates, and his post quickly caught attention.
Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers Couldn’t Perform
DeYoung’s first complaint was about Paul Rodgers, the legendary singer of Bad Company. Rodgers couldn’t celebrate his band’s long-awaited induction because of health issues. DeYoung believes this wouldn’t have happened if the band had been inducted years earlier, when Rodgers was still able to perform.
He wrote that he wished fans could have seen Rodgers show “how one of rock’s premiere singers ACTUALLY ROCKS.” To him, the long delays in recognizing artists are unfair and sometimes even disrespectful.
“Change the Name Already”
DeYoung also repeated a criticism he’s had for years: the name “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” no longer matches who actually gets inducted. Many genres are represented now — pop, hip-hop, R&B, and more — so he argues the Hall should simply change its name to reflect that. To him, the current name is outdated and misleading.
Why Are So Many Artists Inducted After They Die?
Another big issue DeYoung called out is the number of artists who are honored only after they pass away. This year alone, Joe Cocker and Warren Zevon were inducted posthumously. DeYoung questioned why the Hall waited decades to recognize them.
He argued that these musicians didn’t suddenly become more popular — the Hall simply refused to consider them earlier. He called this process “shameful” and said the institution has “clear prejudices” in the way it decides who gets in.
Admitting It Sounds Like ‘Sour Grapes’
DeYoung knows some people might think he’s complaining because Styx has never been nominated. He joked that anything he says may sound like “sour grapes,” even adding that “Sour Grapes” would be a good band name. But he insists his frustration comes from wanting fairness — not jealousy.
Highlights of the Ceremony
Even though there was controversy, the ceremony still had memorable moments.
Some of the standout highlights included:
The Killers performing a tribute to the late Warren Zevon
Elton John honoring the legendary Brian Wilson
Jack White giving a powerful speech as he accepted the honor for The White Stripes
The night celebrated music history, but DeYoung’s comments reminded everyone that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame still has plenty of debate surrounding it. Whether you agree with him or not, his post added a lot of discussion to an already emotional night.