Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton turned down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Twitter. But while her tweet sparked a fan firestorm, her musical standards are unparalleled.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame isn’t the first major institution Parton has graciously sidestepped. One of the first to play what he called rock ’n’ roll was 1950s Cleveland DJ Alan Freed, who said: “Rock ’n’ roll is really swing with a modern name. Her official statement said: "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!" But Parton, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, seems to feel differently about the criteria. That is rock ’n’ roll and that is us. Country music played a role in that evolution, of course, and Parton’s songs have influenced countless pop stars, including Miley Cyrus (Dolly’s goddaughter), Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston and Beyoncé, the latter two of whom covered “I Will Always Love You.” But when country music doesn’t also feature elements of R&B and guitars rooted in the blues, defining it as rock can feel like a musicological stretch. The decision to withdraw her nomination was widely supported by fans, admirers and members of the rock community, who praised Parton’s integrity. It’s the rhythm that gets to the kids — they’re starved of music they can dance to, after all those years of crooners.” ... Rock ’n’ roll is N.W.A,” he said in the group’s acceptance speech. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out,” she tweeted Monday morning, sending the Twitterverse into rapid response mode. She’s a country music legend, a prolific songwriter, a clever entrepreneur, a generous philanthropist, a sensitive humanitarian, a subtle feminist, a devout Christian and, in her own way, a rebel.