Included among the previously-announced nominees for the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction was country music icon Dolly Parton. She was part of a list that included Duran Duran, Eminem, Pat Benetar, Beck, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Dionne Warwick, Eurythmics, A Tribe Called Quest, Kate Bush, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls and Rage Against the Machine. On Monday, the 76-year-old made a classy move in removing herself out of the running saying she didn’t feel she had accomplished enough in the world of rock to be considered for the Hall of Fame bearing rock’s namesake.
She wrote on social media: “Dolly here! Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out. I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do. My husband is a total rock ‘n’ roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one. I wish all of the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment. Rock on!”
SiriusXM DJ and rock personality Eddie Trunk praised Parton on Twitter. “This is amazing. From @DollyParton. Who actually knows that rock acts should be in the @rockhall !! Incredible!! … Awesome Dolly. Opening a slot maybe for an actual rock act? What a concept !!”
Parton previously told Billboard she never thought of herself as a rocker. “I guess they judge it on the music and the influence certain songs have had, and I guess I’ve had songs with other people in that realm,” she said: “I’m not expecting that I’ll get in. But if I do, I’ll immediately, next year, have to put out a great rock and roll album — which I’ve wanted to do for years, like a Linda Ronstadt or Heart kind of thing.” Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the national Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Heavy metal fans have long championed influential artists of the genre like Iron Maiden, Motörhead and Judas Priest for induction. Priest was nominated for the third time this year, but it remains to be seen if they will receive the honor of induction.
