Dolly Parton among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees – despite initially resisting honour | Ents & Arts News

Dolly Parton has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – despite initially resisting the honour, saying she had not “earned the right” to be counted as a rock artist.

The honourees, voted on by more than 1,000 artists, historians, and music industry professionals, have all “had a profound impact on the sound of young culture and helped change the course of rock ‘n’ roll”, the chairman of the Rock Hall said.

Parton had previously gone on social media to “respectfully bow out” of the process, saying she did not want to take votes away from remaining nominees.

But the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation responded by saying ballots had already been sent and it was up to the voters to decide if Parton was elected.

Parton later said she would accept an induction.

Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Duran Duran and Pat Benatar are also on the list of the latest honourees.

Eminem becomes the 10th hip-hop act to be inducted.

Richie, a former member of The Commodores whose illustrious solo career includes pop classics like Endless Love and All Night Long said being elected to the hall “is an incredible honor”.

He thanked voters and fans on Instagram and said: “Congratulations to all of my fellow 2022 inductees!”

Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon has said the band being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a “special and most valued kind of recognition” for their lifetime dedication to new music.

Speaking from France as the group continue their European tour, Le Bon said: “Here in the wild, beautiful world of Duran Duran, I think we’re all in a little bit of a daze about this.

“It’s one thing to be nominated – but a totally different thing altogether to be actually voted up for induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which is to my mind the closest thing you’ll ever get to a rock & roll knighthood.”

‘A paragon of female empowerment’

The Rock Hall called Parton “a living legend and a paragon of female empowerment,” adding: “Her crossover success broadened the audience for country music and expanded the horizons for countless artists who followed.”

She is most associated with country music and is in the Country Hall of Fame, but her songs have been performed with a rock feel.

To be eligible for induction, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to their induction.

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Artists who have made both the Rock Hall and Country Hall of Fame include Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Hank Williams and the Everly Brothers.

The induction ceremony will be held on 5 November in Los Angeles.