Dionne Warwick dismisses her Rock Hall nomination: 'I'm not a rock and roller'
She believes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should change its name
Singing legend Dionne Warwick says she doesn’t “give a damn” about her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination as she’s “not a rock and roller.”
The 81-year-old ‘Walk On By’ and ‘Heartbreaker’ singer appeared on Bravo TV show Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Sunday evening (13th March) when she was asked about her thoughts on making the Rock Hall shortlist during a show segment called ‘Does Dionne give a damn?’
The interview took place a day before fellow nominee Dolly Parton sensationally rejected her Rock & Hall Hall of Fame nomination, saying “I do not feel that I have earned (the) right” to be included.
Asked by Andy Cohen if she ‘gives a damn’ about being inducted this year, Dionne Warwick replied: “No, I don’t! I'm not a rock and roller. I’ve been interviewed on this subject many times. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as I grew to know it many, many years ago was specifically for rock and roll acts."
"(2021 inductee Tina Turner) should have been inducted ages ago,” Warwick continued. “I feel now, especially when I hear that Dolly Parton being nominated which I’m thrilled for her about, they should rename the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and call it The Music Hall of Fame. It would bring so many other genres into it. Why not?"
On 2nd February, Dionne Warwick was named among the 17 eclectic acts on the shortlist for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2022 alongside the likes of Judas Priest, Rage Against The Machine, Kate Bush, Lionel Richie and New York Dolls.
It was the second time Dionne Warwick was nominated after she picked up a nod last year too.
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hasn’t commented on Dolly Parton’s request to withdraw from the shortlist, and she’s still listed as a nominee on the official website.
Following Dolly Parton’s withdrawal, Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson said she would love to collaborate with the country icon on her proposed rock album.