Joe Walsh is the latest name to weigh in on the situation around Dolly Parton and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
As previously reported, Parton withdrew her nomination for the 2022 Rock Hall class via a statement where she said, in part, 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.”
In an appearance on Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown, Walsh was asked what he thought about Parton’s nomination withdrawal, but he instead took that moment to vent about how the James Gang haven’t been inducted.
“Well, I don’t know what to call it. Resentment? But something that’s not OK with me is that the James Gang aren’t in it,” said Walsh. “We’re Ohio’s band! I kind of resist buddying up with them because of that. And that’s not ego wise — I just think the damn James Gang should be in the Hall of Fame.”
He continued, “We were the great grandfather of heavy metal, I think. And I don’t know. There’s a bunch of nonmusical stuff that goes along with the Hall of Fame that I wish was wish wasn’t there, but I love walking around inside it.”
Walsh, of course, was inducted into the Rock Hall in 1998 as a member of the Eagles. Once inducted, members of the Rock Hall then get to vote on subsequent induction classes. When pressed on whether he would’ve voted for Parton, Walsh responded, with some mild sarcasm, “Well, I would have, yeah. Better yet, we should get her in the James Gang. Then we’ll get in for sure!”
The 2022 inductees will be announced in May. As with previous years, the public has the opportunity to voice their choice via the Fan Vote at RockHall.com through April 30. Fans are allowed to vote once per day during the Fan Vote period. Visitors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland will also have the opportunity to vote in person. The “Fans’ Ballot” will be comprised of the top five artists from the fan vote and will be counted among the other ballots filled out by various artists, historians, and music industry professionals.