Update, March 17 at 1:25 p.m.: Three days after Dolly Parton requested to be removed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2022 nominee shortlist, the foundation has released a statement on the unprecedented rejection, confirming that it has no intention to honor Parton’s wishes or upend the ongoing voting process. Because, we guess, they can, Parton’s name will remain on voter ballots as well as the “fan vote” ballot.
“All of us in the music community have seen Dolly Parton’s thoughtful note expressing her feeling that she has not earned the right to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to her incredible talent as an artist, her humility is another reason Dolly is a beloved icon by millions of fans around the world,” the statement reads. “From its inception, rock & roll has had deep roots in rhythm & blues and country music. It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton’s music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed. Her nomination to be considered for induction into to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame followed the same process as all other artists who have been considered.” The foundation added that Parton’s nomination, along with the other 16 acts for the 2022 class, will remain “for consideration for induction at our ceremony.”
Original story follows.
We’re going to need 9 to 5 hours to process this. Dolly Parton has removed herself from the slate of 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, citing her belief that she isn’t qualified to contend for such an honor. “Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” Parton wrote in a social-media statement. “I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out. I do hope that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again, if I’m ever worthy.” She reiterated, however, how thankful she felt “for the compliment” of a nomination, which has now “inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock and roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!” Parton had previously told Billboard she was “absolutely floored” to receive Hall recognition, as she “never thought of myself as being rock and roll in any sense of the word … I don’t know how they judge that.”
2022 served as Parton’s first nomination year for the Rock Hall, where she was celebrated among other more mainstream genre acts such as Duran Duran, Rage Against the Machine, and New York Dolls. As of publishing time, she was one of five nominees to qualify for a “fan vote” ballot. While it’s become common for certain performers and bands to snub the Rock Hall in the days around the ceremony, Parton’s self-elimination in the shortlist stage is the first of its kind. It has also left the Rock Hall in a strange situation: Ballots have been sent out to the 1,200 voters, and many have already been returned with selections. Vulture has reached out to the Hall for comment.
