The music world is gathering in Los Angeles on Saturday to honor its best acts, including the latest inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including Dolly Parton and Eminem.
Joining country queens and rap agitators are pop futurists Eurythmics, smooth rocker Lionel Richie, new wave Brits Doran Doran, confessional lyricist Carly Simon and enduring rock duo Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo entering the music pantheon.
The Cleveland-based Hall of Fame — which surveyed more than 1,000 musicians, historians and industry members to select inductees — will honor seven acts at a star-studded gala at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
More supergroup concert than event, the evening will see music legends honoring their peers with performances of their time-tested hits – the line-up is usually kept under wraps until showtime.
But Rock Hall chairman John Sykes revealed some of the guests in an interview with Forbes this week, telling the outlet that attendees will include Olivia Rodrigo and Alanis Morissette, while Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow will be among those introducing the honorees. will be included.
Voice of Young America
Sykes emphasized the institution’s fluid definition of “rock” as being more about soul than genre.
Over the years, numerous rappers, pop, R&B and country stars have been brought into Hall’s fold.
“Rock and roll, like music culture itself, never stays in one place. It’s an evolving sound to reflect the culture,” Sykes said.
“So you look at the different artists you’ll see inducted this year — they’re different genders, they’re different colors, they’re different voices, but they have one thing in common, they created a voice. Young America “
The inclusion of Parton, 76, this year drew a characteristically humble response from the beloved icon, who initially requested her name be removed from the running, saying she was far from a rock star.
But the voting had already begun, and the organization convinced Parton, whose body of work included the classic Julian and I Will Always Love , that her work was worth it.
“When she understood what the true meaning of rock and roll is, then she embraced it and is going to not only attend the ceremony, but she’s making a rock and roll album and is going to debut a song, specifically from that record, at the ceremony,” Sykes revealed.
