Rock ‘n’ roll “is not defined by any one genre, it’s more of a sound that drives youth culture,” the statement said. “Dolly Parton’s music has influenced a generation of young fans and countless artists who have followed her. Her nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame went through the same way as all the other artists that were considered.”
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There may also be a logistical reason why Parton’s request was rejected. Rock Hall noted that her candidacy was already on ballots sent to 1,200 voters this month.
On Monday, Parton expressed in a tweet statement that while she was “extremely flattered and grateful for the nomination… I don’t feel like I deserved that right. I really don’t want the voices to be divided because of me, so I have to respectfully bow out.”
“I really hope that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame understands me and is ready to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy,” she continued. “However, it inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album sometime in the future, which is something I’ve always wanted to do!”
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Other artists nominated for the 2022 induction include Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, Devo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe. The names are Quest and Dionne Warwick. Foundation chairman John Sykes noted in a press release that the vote recognized “a diverse group” and mentioned the artist’s influence on “the sound of youth culture”.
This is the first time Parton has participated in a vote at Rock Hall. The February release described her as “a living legend and exemplar of female empowerment” and stated that her success expanded country music’s audience.
Warwick also commented on the oddity of her nomination during a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
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“I’m not a rock ‘n’ roll guy,” she said, adding that “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as I knew it many, many years ago, was specifically designed for rock and roll. … Now I feel, especially when I hear that Dolly Parton is being nominated – I’m thrilled with her – they should rename the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the Music Hall of Fame. They bring so many other genres to it, why not?”
Several others have previously rejected Rock Hall – albeit more aggressively – citing lack of confidence in music industry figures and/or lack of transparency in the voting process. In 1999, Ozzy Osbourne called the award “meaningless because it wasn’t voted for by the fans” and attempted to have Black Sabbath off the ballot. The band was eventually inducted in 2006, the same year the Sex Pistols chose not to attend the ceremony and referred to Rock Hall as “piss in wine” in their statement. Axl Rose also boycotted the 2012 Guns n’ Roses ceremony, but made sure to apologize to the city of Cleveland, where Rock Hall is located.
“I think they know how much I truly love performing there,” he wrote. “Cleveland really rock!”