Dolly & Friends Enter Rock & Roll HOF
• Despite her initial protestations, America’s Sweetheart Dolly Parton has been selected for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
On Wednesday the Rock Hall Foundation announced the Class of 2022, and, to the surprise of no one, Parton was included in the Performer Category, along with the long overdue Pat Benatar & her husband/collaborator Neil Giraldo; Duran Duran; Eminem; Eurythmics; Lionel Richie and Carly Simon. Recipients of the Musical Excellence Award are Judas Priest and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Early Influence Award honorees are Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotten, and the prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Award will be presented to Allen Grubman, Jimmy Iovine and Sylvia Robinson.
“This diverse group of inductees each had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture and helped change the course of rock & roll,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music moved generations and influenced so many artists that followed.” In a tweet, Dolly said, “I am honored and humbled by the fact that I have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the @rockhall. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor.”
To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to Induction. Eminem, Duran Duran, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and Carly Simon were on the ballot for the first time. This is Eminem’s first year of eligibility. This is also the first year in the Hall’s 37-year history that six female acts will be inducted in one class.
The 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max, along with a radio simulcast on SiriusXM’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Radio (Channel 310) and SiriusXM’s Volume (Channel 106). Ticket information will be announced later. Select Rock Hall donors and members get exclusive Induction ticket opportunities. Donate or join by June 30, 2022 to be eligible. Visit rockhall.com/join to learn more.
The Induction categories:
Performers: Artists who have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.
Early Influence Award: Artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting youth culture.
Ahmet Ertegun Award: Non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.
Musical Excellence Award: Given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
