Dolly Parton will soon be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, despite her original wishes to “bow out” of the nomination.
The international superstar joins the just-announced class of inductees for the performer category that also includes Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.
Judas Priest and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis will be honored with the Musical Excellence Award, while the Early Influence Award will go to Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotten.
“This diverse group of inductees each had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture and helped change the course of rock & roll,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Chairman John Sykes says in a press release. “Their music moved generations and influenced so many artists that followed.”
The announcement comes after Parton initially declined the nomination, writing, “I don’t feel that I have earned that right.”
She released a full statement on social media saying that she was “extremely flattered and grateful,” and said she would “respectfully bow out.”
The Rock Hall later confirmed that Parton could still be inducted, despite her wishes.
During an interview with NPR, Dolly Parton shared that she would “accept gracefully.” She explained that she initially thought that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was solely for Rock artists, however, she later learned that it’s not always the case.
“I just felt like I would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me because I never considered myself a rock artist,” she said. “But obviously, there’s more to it than that.”
The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 5.
