Dolly Parton led a supergroup in a rousing rendition of “Jolene” as Eminem brought the entire room to its feet at Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gala, which inducted its most eclectic group of legends in years in an ode to rock’s spirit.
The country queen and rap agitator were joined by pop futurists Eurythmics, smooth rocker Lionel Richie, confessional lyricist Carly Simon and enduring rock duo Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo in entering the music pantheon.
“I’m a rock star now!” yelped Parton as she took the stage, fists in the air.
The 76-year-old had tried to decline the prestigious honor because she didn’t feel rock enough — “I didn’t understand at the time that it’s about a little more than that,” she said with her infectious smile.
Artists including P!nk and Brandi Carlile gathered to perform Dolly classics including “9 to 5,” before Parton returned to the stage in a stunningly body-con outfit dripping in chains.
The icon then jammed out on a crystal-encrusted electric guitar to debut her new rock song, which included a mean solo from Parton herself.
“I’ve still got rock and roll down in my country soul / and I’ll be rockin’ it til the cows come home,” she belted.
– Rap village –
Eminem delivered a blend of hits old and new, after one of music’s master provocateurs walked out to the quintessential “My Name Is.”
His loyal mentor Dr. Dre inducted the artist behind “The Marshall Mathers LP” — one of the best-selling albums of all time — who gained the hall’s coveted recognition in his first year of eligibility.
Dre said he had asked Eminem if there was anything specific the rapper wanted said at the ceremony: “Number one: I want you to tell everybody I have a huge penis,” he quipped.
It was an apt nod to Eminem’s knack for the profane, which routinely bled into the darkly humorous.
The superstar built a massive career off his blistering flow and lyrical talent, but at times fueled it with eyebrow-raising controversy.
Eminem invited none other than Steven Tyler to perform “Sing For The Moment” which samples “Dream On,” and Ed Sheeran made a surprise appearance to sing Dido’s “Thank You” sample in “Stan.”
The now 50-year-old then donned his glasses to read his acceptance speech, touching on the obstacles he overcame including a troubled childhood and addiction struggles.
But he spent most of his time at the podium thanking dozens of fellow rappers.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well it took a whole genre and culture to raise me,” he said. “I’m a high school dropout, man, with a hip hop education, and these are my teachers.”
“And it’s their night just as much as it is mine.”
– Rock vibes –
The 2022 class saw the hallowed institution continue to bring rappers, pop, R&B and country stars into the hall’s fold.
“Rock and roll is not a color, it is a feeling, it is a vibe,” said Richie to a chorus of cheers.
“If we let that vibe come through, this room will grow and grow.”
