IN statement Sharing on her social media accounts, the singer said that while she was “extremely flattered and grateful” for the nomination, she didn’t feel like she “deserved this right”.
“I really don’t want to be divided over me, so I have to respectfully bow out,” she said.
Parton was the only country star in this year’s vote, which also included Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest and Dionne Warwick.
She said she hopes the hall of fame will consider her again one day if she “is ever worthy”.
“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!” she said, noting that her husband, Carl Dean, “always encouraged [her] make one.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has made efforts in recent years to nominate and induct artists who are not traditional rock artists but who have made major contributions to popular music and influenced other musicians. Previously nominated artists who are more in line with other genres include The Supremes, Johnny Cash and Madonna. But it wasn’t until 2007 that the Hall of Fame unveiled its first rap group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
Earlier this year, when announcing the new list of nominees, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes said that each artist selected had a “profound impact on the sound of youth culture.”
The current criteria for inductees do not require them to record in the rock genre — to be eligible, artists must release their first commercial recording 25 years ago.
This year’s inductees, now with one likely layoff, will be announced in May, with an induction ceremony in the fall.