How’s that for an impressive list … Dolly Parton, Eminem, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon. It was almost overload and she was taking it all in… Sheryl Crow hired Pat Benatar and husband/partner Neil Giraldo. Cheryl said Pat “was shaken as hard as any man, but she maintained her identity as a woman.” But wait, there’s more. Janet Jackson presented the Musical Excellence Award to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Bruce Springsteen presented Jimmy Iovine with the Rock Hall’s Ahmet Ertegun Award. Bruce also paid tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, singing “Great Balls of Fire” and “High School Hop” with John Mellencamp. And Lenny Kravitz did the honors for the ever awesome Lionel Richie! LK said that Lionel’s music was “the soundtrack to my life, your life and everyone’s life”. Then he threw in some humor… calling all the people who followed Lionel “well, it would take all night.” Dr. Dre took the opportunity to hire his longtime friend and musical collaborator, Eminem. Dre said he was blown away when he found out Em was a white guy… “That totally freaked me out!” Eminem sang “My Name Is,” “Forever,” “Not Afraid” … assisted by Steven Tyler and Ed Sheeran. Eminem was humble, saying, “I shouldn’t be here tonight,” after his set. “One, I’m a rapper, two, I almost died of an overdose and three, I really had to struggle… I’m a high school dropout majoring in hip hop.” DOLLY ROCKER: Country star @dollyparton is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and reveals she plans to release her first rock album. pic.twitter.com/r1kw7eXxfi — AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) November 6, 2022 @APEntertainment As for Dolly, Pink did the honors, after which Dolly declared … “I’m a rock star now!” He added: “I still have rock and roll in my country soul.” Parton closed the show with her most iconic song, “Jolene,” as others joined … others, including Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Simon Le Bon, Rob Halford and the Eurythmics. Fantastic night!
