Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Makes Room For New Members

Eminem, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Carly Simon, Eurythmics and the married duo of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo were among the artists honored Saturday night during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 37th annual induction ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

The L-A Times calls the 2022 class of inductees was among the more diverse in the hall’s history, with acts representing hip-hop, country music, R&B, new wave and soft rock; the group also included one artist, Parton, who made waves when she asked that her nomination be withdrawn because she felt she hadn’t earned the right to become a member. (She later said she’d accept the honor.)

Awards were also bestowed on Judas Priest, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Harry Belafonte, the late Elizabeth Cotton, Allen Grubman, Jimmy Iovine and Sylvia Robinson.

During his poignant Rock & Roll Hall of Fame speech, 2022 inductee Lionel Richie proclaimed, “rock and roll is not a color. It’s a feeling and a vibe,” reports Cleveland.com.

Dolly Parton

Whether or not you believe a pop star like Lionel Richie, a country artist like Dolly Parton or a rapper like Eminem belongs in the Rock Hall, Richie had one of the more diverse ceremonies in recent memory to back up his words.

The 2022 Rock Hall induction ceremony held at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater honored a collection of artists whose collective catalog of music spans more than 100 years, from the acoustic picking of Elizabeth Cotten to the aggressive rhymes of Eminem.

During his tribute video, Lionel Richie proclaimed, “If the audience knows the words, you can put on a show.” He then led a singalong fest where everyone in the audience, indeed, knew all the words to “All Night Long.

Fans who stuck around for nearly five hours were given a special treat. Dolly Parton capped the night by debuting a new rock and roll song.

“I feel honored to be in this house with all this talent and all this greatness,” Parton said. “If I’m gonna be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I’m going to have to do a rock album.”

But first, there was a de facto country all-star jam featuring Pink (who inducted Parton) Brandi Carlisle, Sheryl Crow and Zac Brown Band, as Parton prepared to perform. Carlisle and Pink’s “Coat of Many Colors” came across better than the full group’s rendition of “9 to 5.”

Parton emerged on stage in a tight leather dress, looking like the rock star and blaring notes from an electric guitar. “And you thought I couldn’t rock!” Parton shouted.

The event won’t be televised until Nov. 19 on HBO and HBO Max.