Home / Arts and Entertainment / Styx Singer Slams Rock Hall for "Prejudices" and Delayed Inductions
Styx Singer Slams Rock Hall for "Prejudices" and Delayed Inductions
15 Nov
Summary
- Singer Dennis DeYoung criticizes Rock Hall's induction process
- Wanted to see Paul Rodgers of Bad Company perform, but health issues prevented it
- Believes many deserving artists were inducted too late, when "incapacitated or dead"
The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which took place last weekend, has sparked controversy due to comments made by singer Dennis DeYoung of the legendary band Styx. While the event celebrated the induction of artists like Warren Zevon, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, Bad Company, and Soundgarden, DeYoung took issue with the Rock Hall's induction process.
DeYoung expressed his disappointment at not seeing Paul Rodgers, the lead singer of Bad Company, perform at the ceremony. Rodgers had struggled with several health issues, preventing him from showcasing his talents. "I would have liked to have seen him perform years ago to demonstrate how one of rock's premiere singers actually rocks," DeYoung said, criticizing the Rock Hall's name for not accurately representing the artists it honors.
Going further, DeYoung lambasted the Rock Hall for taking too long to induct certain deserving artists. "Making so many musicians wait until they either incapacitated or dead is shameful," he stated, citing the cases of Joe Cocker and Warren Zevon, who were only recently inducted despite their success decades ago. DeYoung believes the Rock Hall's "clear prejudices" and inability to "let go" of their personal choices have led to these delayed inductions.
Ultimately, DeYoung considers the Rock Hall to be nothing more than a "ruse and a joke," as the organization has only now "admitted" to making mistakes in their induction decisions. Despite his criticisms, Styx itself has yet to be inducted into the Rock Hall, despite being eligible since 1997.
