Dolly Parton name dropped twice in one day as a potential nominee for 2015, first by Rolling Stone and then by Billboard. Cat Stevens anyone?

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 04/9/2014 @ 22:15pm

Yes, simply due to her relevance as a songwriter. Not only does she write everything she sings, but a lot of people have covered her work in other genres, including rock. I'm pretty surprised she's not actually in yet. After seeing Linda Ronstadt get inducted, I find it hard to believe that they'd ignore Dolly Parton.

Posted by NixtonV on Saturday, 07/5/2014 @ 11:34am

dolly parton is the queen

Posted by ray on Monday, 09/1/2014 @ 21:50pm

Dolly Parton should be in the Rock Hall of Fame due to her song writing. She wrote the biggest pop single of all-time when Whitney Houston took "I Will Always Love You" to #1 for sixteen weeks back in 1992. Let alone the fact that Dolly has had other songs covered by other Rock and Roll Hall of Famers already. She has become a cultural American musical icon and transcends the Country genre into American pop culture.

Posted by Tony on Wednesday, 08/31/2016 @ 10:50am

Zuzu's mentioning of Dolly, Kenny Roger/First Edition, et al has got me thinking about why country isn't represented nearly as much in the Hall as it could, maybe even should. While most of the hobbyists who frequent this site aren't big on country, I don't think any of us actually believe it's simply a matter of "Country sucks!" There's a lot of really good stuff in that vain, but we're still hesitant to say they should be in. And it's certainly not a matter of political correctness; otherwise we wouldn't have the classic rock glut we've had recently, and even our Revisited/Projected project would be much loaded down with soul.

We recognize that country is one of the bigger parent styles of rock and roll, so why the reluctance to acknowledge it? For awhile, thought it was because Country already had its own Hall, and that probably was deemed to be sufficient. But as the R&B and Hip-Hop Halls appear to be shaping up, I have to admit, I'm not comfortable with the Rock Hall leaving those styles behind completely, as I feel they're part of rock and roll. Feeling that way, it would better behoove us to include country in that conversation, but with country it's still a tougher struggle.

I have a hypothesis, and since Zuzu mentioned Dolly Parton, I bring it up here. I suspect our mindset has been shaped by the way it was marketed, and the subsequent crossover that was achieved, or rather wasn't achieved. Rock and roll dominated the Pop charts and Top 40 stations. There was still a healthy amount of country, but looking through the books on Billboard chart history, it wasn't so prominent, particularly after the Beatles landed in America, and it wasn't as consistent a presence, either. Look at George Jones... more hits on the country charts than any other artist, over 160. But on the pop charts, barely a dozen, and the highest of which made it to the 70s, and was a cover first written, and I believe first recorded by the Big Bopper, charting for Jones shortly after the Bopper's death. Country superstars did make the pop charts, but with much less than 50% crossover. The 1970's saw much more crossover, possibly with the proliferation of FM and freeform radio. Then in the '80's the division got seemingly even more pronounced than it was in the '60's. Artists ranked in the top 300 in the history of the country charts (as of 2001, time to update my source) that never charted on the Billboard Pop charts, were having their heydays during the '80's. During the 90's, it closed again, with country artists who were influenced by rock artists, such as Garth Brooks being influenced by KISS. Now, country isn't crossing over as much to the pop charts as it is the Adult Contemporary charts, based on my time in radio, at least.

This is all cursory speculation on my part, hypothesizing really. But I would venture that the way country was marketed and exhibited in the radio formats created the distinct separation in the minds of listeners, which has in turn has come to be cataloged in the history annals as being different, distinct, and separate from the pop and rock formats that dominated the culture for so long (even though country was the most programmed format in the U.S.A. for some time), and has thus led it to be left out of RnR HoF conversation.

Anyone else care to weigh in?

Posted by Philip on Friday, 08/3/2018 @ 00:17am

Philip

I do not know why you put this under Dolly Parton since I have said on several occasions that Dolly Parton does not have enough influence on Rock and Roll. I have said time and time again that Dotty West should be considered.

1 You are completely off base in most of your assumptions. You use too much Rolling Stone propaganda

2 Rock and Roll did not come out of r&b. It came out of the blues. Elvis said he learned to play guitar from blues artist. Little Richard has called r&r the bastard child of the blues.

Who are you going to believe?

3 The hall is lying about the history of r&r. They have pushed rbist ideology and too many people on here take it all in, hook line and sinker

4 the problem is not that the hall doesn't recognize country as early influence. It does not embrace country as r&r.

a No induction of the Carter Family

b No induction of Patsy Cline - no she is not early influence like some people on here think

c Nina Simone should have been inducted as early influence

d Pete Seeger as early influence despite his work being considered current in the 60s yeah folk and country are closely intertwined.

5 If you think the disco sucks movement was racist go look up pictures of Club 54 West - If you still persist in calling disco sucks racist then in my personal opinion you need to be locked in a room with the soundtrack from Saturday Night Fever playing nonstop and have go on 3 times as long as when you first started begging to stop. You need to experience it being shoved down your throats over and over and over again just like we did.

5b The record industry scrambled and was dishing out any and all garbage they could think of. Hence why r&r mainly did a crash and burn. Most people switched to country and blues. Record sales fell in the 80s. The question is did they really go back up in the 90s or did 90s go up because people were converting to the cd

6 shock jocks sent a lot of soft rock to go underground in country. Part of the reason country started gaining momentum.

7 Forget Bakersfield - Austin is important. There is no such thing as country rock - this was pidgeon holing by the music industry. There was a fusion of rock folk country and blues

8 look up who was playing on Dr Demento in the 70s. A lot of country and folk artist.

9 FM did not gain traction until the build up to disco sucks. top 40 am stations which used to play a variety lost listeners when certain music was overplayed. This also included rock songs like Hotel California and Stairway to Heaven.

lets get this straight r&r is not all popular music. Wipe that silly thought out of your head. hip hop, disco, metal, punk, glam, new wave and such are not r&r. Some artist from these genres may fuse enough r&r to be considered for the hall but not before the genuine article. Pull the rubberband too much and it will snap making the term r&r meaningless.

An art instructor told our class that we create from our environment. It does not come out of nowhere. This is why Rocket 88 is not r&r it is big band music. It has some elements that would be rock and roll but not quite there.Hank Williams' Move It On Over was earlier but had more elements that became r&r but still not r&r.

10 look who is missing from this site

David Allan Coe
Mel Tillis
Dotty West

3 country artist that had a big impact on r&r

Posted by Zuzu on Friday, 08/3/2018 @ 09:03am

Zuzu,

There's no denying the influence of the blues on rock and roll, but R&B, also from the blues, had an immense amount of influence. Look at the original Drifters, the Moonglows, the Clovers, etc.

I've no problem with inducting the Carter Family in EI, nor Patsy Cline as a Performer. Pete Seeger's EI induction was one of those instigated by "Small Hall" people who didn't want to acknowledge the importance of the Weavers as a group and also have to acknowledge Seeger in the rock era, so they did a lump induction. It's the same problem they have by thinking that by inducting Jerry Butler as a member of the Impressions, they don't have to acknowledge his significant solo career.

I was going to say a lot more, but I think here's primary the flaw of your logic, at least as I see it:

"hip hop, disco, metal, punk, glam, new wave and such are not r&r."

Yes they are. Not all popular music is rock and roll; this is true. Buck Owens was not rock and roll; Thelonius Monk is not rock and roll; Andrew Lloyd Webber is not rock and roll. But hip-hop, metal, punk, etc. are rock and roll. Rock and roll is a diaspora. Those sub-genres you deny as part of the family are the children styles, the sprawls of evolution, of earlier styles of rock and roll. They all came out of rock and roll, and they are all part of the family. This continues to be the main problem I've had with your arguments: your definitions are narrow to the point of uselessness. Your beliefs and conceptions about rock and roll simply do not allow it to breathe, to grow, to evolve. You keep discussing rock and roll music as something static, stuck at a fixed point. You refuse to look forward and demand that rock and roll not be allowed that courtesy either. You think of rock and roll as something exclusive that belongs to a comparatively select few, instead of something that can reach people in their world and on their terms. If rock and roll couldn't evolve, there would truly be no need for a Hall Of Fame, though the utility of a museum could still be justified. Rockers from John Kay, to Patti Smith, to Paul Revere, and even Brian Wilson, acknowledge(d) either the talents, the validity of the message, or both of the younger generations that have followed. Rock and roll can and should belong to all. If that's Rolling Stone BS/propaganda talking (even though I'm not using any RS articles), so be it, because it makes a hell of a lot more sense than telling me that I can't REALLY embrace rock and roll, or even potentially create new music that is rock and roll, just because I was born in the '80s.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 08/4/2018 @ 00:04am

https://heartodaygrowntomorrow.wordpress.com/2020/05/01/1246-fri-may-1-2020/

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should give more consideration to country artists, and as one of the first true country to pop crossovers, Dolly deserves a shot

Posted by Pluto on Sunday, 05/3/2020 @ 12:18pm

Dolly Parton belongs in the hall of fame. Her influence in music is outstanding, she has written some beautiful lyrics, she has sung with so many artist, she continues even today unrelenting making fans worldwide so proud of her accomplishments. I hope that the hall of fame recognizes her contribution to not only country music, but also her influence to pop music. I. Going to start a petition in honor of Dolly Parton, and to have her nominated in 2021 for a title she most definately deserves. We love and appreciate you so much for everything you have done in your brilliant career in music.

Posted by Margaret Alexander on Sunday, 11/22/2020 @ 07:14am

The Rock Hall and country music: Assessing Dolly Parton's historic nomination
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/02/the-rock-hall-and-country-music-assessing-dolly-partons-historic-nomination.html

Why Dolly Parton Damn Sure Belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Y'all
The Tennessee songwriter and national treasure is nominated for induction into the Rock Hall, where she'd rightly join fellow country trailblazers like Johnny Cash
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/dolly-parton-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-1294186/

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02/2/2022 @ 18:07pm

Dolly Parton is an amazing musician, performer, writer, thespian...but not a Rock and Roll icon. Her discography is sorely lacking, and her genre is rarely represented in this Hall.

Judas Priest has been playing, recording and touring for most of the past 50 years. Their reign as kings of metal in the 80s was epic, and their work in the 70s sorely underrated. 2018's Firepower was up to JP standards, 40+ years after RockaRolla. Their show at SF Warfield in 2018 was outstanding, as both Ian Hill and Rob Halford still make live, loud music in their later years.

Dolly Parton has a theme park.

Nuff said.

Posted by Judas on Friday, 02/11/2022 @ 15:47pm

This is the " rock and roll" hall of fame, not the " country Music" hall of fame or the " hip hop" hall of fame. Every Genre off Music has their own way to honor performing artists. IF you want to change it to " music hall of fame" then it would be appropriate to enroll Dolly Parton. But since her entire career has been country and Western it would be inappropriate to induct her due the the fact that she has never made any " rock and roll" music.

Posted by James Brown on Monday, 02/14/2022 @ 18:26pm

James, Dolly Parton also has many songs that would be considered in the 'Americana/Folk' genre, so she's 'rock' enough for me.

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 02/15/2022 @ 06:47am

to James Brown..
Dolly Parton did write and perform "I Will Always Love You", which was definitely made more famous by Whitney Houston, who was inducted recently.. Not saying that should qualify her ,but she is considered a crossover artist, having many hits on the Billboard Hot 100.. " 9 to 5" would probably be considered as Mainstream Pop by today's standard..
She is as deserving, or close to deserving as Johnny Cash. Willie Nelson and John Denver also deserve consideration..

Posted by Will N on Tuesday, 02/15/2022 @ 16:21pm

Dolly Parton has asked to withdraw her nomination.

Posted by Tyler on Monday, 03/14/2022 @ 22:30pm

She's going to be inducted whether she likes it or not. Sex Pistols!

This doesn't mean they are going to take her name off the ballot, it's too late for that. It just means she won't attend the ceremony when she is inducted.

What does the Rock Hall do with Dolly?
https://www.futurerocklegends.com/blog_files/Dolly_Bows_Out.html

Dolly Parton Declines 2022 Rock Hall Nomination
https://pitchfork.com/news/dolly-parton-declines-2022-rock-hall-nomination/

Dolly Parton bows out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/14/entertainment/dolly-parton-withdraws-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-cec/index.html

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 03/15/2022 @ 08:52am

Dolly Parton is a total rock star (even if she doesn't think so)
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-03-15/dolly-parton-rock-hall-of-fame-nomination-turned-down

Should the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame change its name?
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/03/should-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-change-its-name.html

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Dolly Parton Pickle: Should She Be Inducted Anyway, Even If She Doesn't Want It?
It's unclear whether the Hall could even remove her from the ballot, with voting already underway. Some are hoping she'd reverse course if she still prevails in the balloting.
https://variety.com/2022/music/news/dolly-parton-rock-roll-hall-fame-induction-what-next-anyway-1235205406/

Dolly Parton 'respectfully' withdraws from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations: 'I don't feel that I have earned that right'
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dolly-parton-respectfully-withdraws-from-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations-160209040.html

Nancy Wilson Praises 'Class Act' Dolly Parton for HOF Withdrawal
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/nancy-wilson-dolly-parton-rock-hall/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 03/16/2022 @ 08:47am

I Will Always Love You * Islands In The Stream * 9 To 5 * Straight Talk * Romeo

Posted by Roy on Monday, 03/21/2022 @ 18:27pm

i can't believe she's been eligible since 1985! and shes "bowing out" of it?? crazy, shes done so much for all music

Posted by kirsten on Monday, 03/28/2022 @ 19:11pm

SOLO WOMEN IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

01. 1987 - Aretha Franklin
02. 1989 - Bessie Smith (Early Influence)
03. 1990 - Ma Rainey (Early Influence)
04. 1991 - LaVern Baker
05. 1993 - Dinah Washington (Early Influence)
06. 1993 - Ruth Brown
07. 1993 - Etta James
08. 1995 - Janis Joplin
09. 1997 - Mahalia Jackson (Early Influence)
10. 1997 - Joni Mitchell
11. 1999 - Dusty Springfield
12. 2000 - Billie Holiday (Early Influence)
13. 2000 - Bonnie Raitt
14. 2002 - Brenda Lee
15. 2007 - Patti Smith
16. 2008 - Madonna
17. 2009 - Wanda Jackson (Early Influence)
18. 2011 - Darlene Love
19. 2012 - Laura Nyro
20. 2013 - Donna Summer
21. 2014 - Linda Ronstadt
22. 2017 - Joan Baez
23. 2018 - Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Early Influence)
24. 2018 - Nina Simone
25. 2019 - Stevie Nicks
26. 2019 - Janet Jackson
27. 2020 - Whitney Houston
28. 2021 - Tina Turner
29. 2021 - Carole King
30. 2022 - Carly Simon
31. 2022 - Pat Benatar
32. 2022 - Dolly Parton
33. 2022 - Sylvia Robinson (Non-Performer)
34. 2022 - Elizabeth Cotton (Early Influence)

SOLO BLACK WOMEN IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

01. 1987 - Aretha Franklin
02. 1989 - Bessie Smith (Early Influence)
03. 1990 - Ma Rainey (Early Influence)
04. 1991 - LaVern Baker
05. 1993 - Dinah Washington (Early Influence)
06. 1993 - Ruth Brown
07. 1993 - Etta James
08. 1997 - Mahalia Jackson (Early Influence)
09. 2000 - Billie Holiday (Early Influence)
10. 2011 - Darlene Love
11. 2013 - Donna Summer
12. 2018 - Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Early Influence)
13. 2018 - Nina Simone
14. 2019 - Janet Jackson
15. 2020 - Whitney Houston
16. 2021 - Tina Turner
17. 2022 - Sylvia Robinson (Non-Performer)
18. 2022 - Elizabeth Cotton (Early Influence)

SOLO WHITE WOMEN IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

01. 1995 - Janis Joplin
02. 1997 - Joni Mitchell
03. 1999 - Dusty Springfield
04. 2000 - Bonnie Raitt
05. 2002 - Brenda Lee
06. 2007 - Patti Smith
07. 2008 - Madonna
08. 2009 - Wanda Jackson (Early Influence)
09. 2012 - Laura Nyro
10. 2014 - Linda Ronstadt
11. 2017 - Joan Baez
12. 2019 - Stevie Nicks
13. 2021 - Carole King
14. 2022 - Carly Simon
15. 2022 - Pat Benatar
16. 2022 - Dolly Parton

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/5/2022 @ 12:47pm

Dolly has confirmed it: She's making a rock album. Let's all hope she reaches out to Steve Albini

https://exclaim.ca/music/article/dolly_parton_confirms_plans_to_release_a_rock_album_after_rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_induction?utm_source=facebookpage&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fbpwall&fbclid=IwAR0MPdej7Sy7O9JSVMlSDOhF9_Jc3u3KM-yqXETCl3GozGfDyGUjiAhjSAs

Posted by mat r on Friday, 05/6/2022 @ 00:22am