Typically, new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members get a little help from their friends at the annual induction ceremony, which leads to memorable live performances of classic hits. That was certainly the case on Saturday night (Nov. 5) when Dolly Parton's "Jolene" became an all-star jam involving the country legend and a who's-who of Parton admirers -- Rob Halford of Judas Priest included.
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Zac Brown Band backed each Parton tribute, which also included Sheryl Crow singing "9 to 5" and Pink and Brandi Carlile duetting "Coat of Many Colors." For "Jolene," Crow, Pink and Carlile joined Parton and several of her fellow Class of 2022 inductees-- Halford, Pat Benatar, Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon and Eurythmics' Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart.
Naturally, it didn't take long for social media feeds to be taken over by images of an unlikely Parton collaboration co-starring leather-clad Halford. Though really, Parton didn't look out of place next to him, between her wardrobe for the evening and her on-stage swagger that's comparable to that of the heavy metal icon.
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In addition, Parton commemorated the occasion by debuting "Rockin'," which likely previewed her forthcoming rock album.
"If I'm going to go in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I'm going to have to earn it," said Parton during the new song's intro.
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Parton balked at being on the Rock Hall ballot earlier this year and asked to be removed. She soon reconsidered, telling NPR that she'd "accept gracefully" if chosen by voters.
"This is a very special night for me," she said during her induction speech. "I'm sure a lot of you knew that back when they said they were gonna put me in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I didn't really feel like I had done enough to deserve that. And I didn't understand at the time that it's about more than that. But I'm just honored and so proud to be here tonight."
Highlights from the induction ceremony, which was hosted at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, will air Nov. 19 on HBO and stream on HBO Max.
