Dee Snider Loves Dolly Parton for Leaving Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ballot: “She Blew My Mind”
Earlier this year, we reported that the ballot for this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees had been announced, and contained such heavy hitters as NWOBHM forefathers Judas Priest, rap-rock upstarts Rage Against The Machine, and country legend and children’s activist Dolly Parton. But yesterday, Dolly announced she was stepping down from the ballot, citing that she wasn’t a rock musician (though she’d someday like to be) and therefore didn’t qualift. Now, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has publicly sung Dolly’s praises for making room for more traditional rock artists to get on the ballot.
For those of you who didn’t see it, Dolly posted the following message to her social media:
“Dolly here! Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.
“I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!
“My husband is a total rock ‘n’ roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one. I wish all of the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment. Rock on!”
What a class act! As our sweetie-pies at Metal Injection point out, Dolly’s removal from the ballot pops Judas Priest into fifth place in the fan poll, making them more likely to enter the Hall (the Hall of Fame, that is, Judas Priest already have a wing dedicated to them in metal’s The Hall).
This led Dee Snider to take to his own Twitter and sing Dolly’s praises, writing:
“Well, @DollyParton just blew my mind. Recognizing she is (amazing but) NOT rock ‘n’ roll, she has turned down her @rockhall nomination! She doesn’t want to take recognition away from an actual rock artist! THANK YOU MISS PARTON!”
In closing, good on Dolly, good on Dee for supporting her, and while we wish Judas Priest all the luck in the world, let’s never forget that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is some Grade-A Bullshit.
