Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Duran Duran and Pat Benathar were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a list that includes Dolly Parton, who initially opposed the honor.
The winners – voted by more than 1,000 artists, historians and music industry professionals – “each had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture and helped change the course of rock ‘n’ roll,” said John Sykes, chairman of Rock Hall, in a statement Wednesday.
Parton had gone on social media to “respectfully deviate” from the process, saying she did not want to take away the votes of the other nominees and did not “deserve that right.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation responded by saying that the ballots had already been sent and voters had to decide whether Parton had been elected. Parton later said he would accept the induction.
In a quote, the hall called Parton “a living legend and a model of women’s empowerment,” adding that “her crossover success expanded the audience for country music and broadened the horizons of the countless artists who followed.”
To be eligible, artists must release their first record 25 years before taking office. Parton, Richie, Simon and Duran Duran were selected in their first round. Simon was nominated for the first time this year more than 25 years after he was elected. Eminem became the 10th hip-hop artist to take office, making the cut in his first vote.
Richie, a former member of The Commodores, whose notable solo career includes pop classics such as “Endless Love”, “All Night Long” and “Hello”, said that being elected to the hall was “an incredible honor”. He thanked the voters and fans on Instagram and said: “Congratulations to all my colleagues appointed for 2022!”
The hall also announced on Wednesday that Judas Priest and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis will receive the Music Achievement Award and that Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotton will be honored with the Early Influence Award.
Other artists and bands that failed to enter the category this year are A Tribe Called Quest, Rage Against the Machine, Dionne Warwick, Beck, Kate Bush, DEVO, Fela Kuti, MC5 and the New York Dolls.
Parton is mostly associated with country music and is in the country’s Hall of Fame, but has performed songs with a rock feel. Artists who have done both Rock Hall and Country Hall of Fame include Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Hank Williams and the Everly Brothers.
The introductory ceremony will take place on November 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
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Mark Kennedy is in
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