“I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out,” she said.
She said she hoped the hall of fame would consider her again one day if she’s “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!” she said, noting her husband, Carl Dean, “has always encouraged [her] to do one.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has made an effort in recent years to nominate and induct artists who aren’t traditional rock artists but have made major contributions to popular music and influenced other musicians. Previously inducted artists who align more with other genres include The Supremes, Johnny Cash and Madonna. But it wasn’t until 2007 that the hall of fame inducted its first rap group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
The current criteria for inductees doesn’t require them to record within the rock genre — to be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording 25 years earlier.
This year’s inductees — now down one likely shoo-in — will be announced in May, with an induction ceremony to follow in the fall.
