Pioneering Native American rock guitarist Link Wray also has been recognized by the Cleveland-based institution.
Willie Nelson, the living legend who turned 90 this weekend, received a belated birthday present Wednesday: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced his inclusion among this year’s inductees.
Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, George Michael and The Spinners also were selected for inclusion in the Cleveland-based institution’s Class of 2023 by general balloting. Six other inductees were chosen by a select Hall of Fame committee: Singer Chaka Khan, instrumentalist-producer Al Kooper, lyricist and long-time Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin, hip-hop originator DJ Kool Herc, Soul Train TV host Don Cornelius — and Link Wray, the pioneering Native American rock guitarist whose life and music were commemorated in the 2017 documentary Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World.
All 13 honorees announced Wednesday will be celebrated in an induction ceremony and concert Nov. 3 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
In recent years, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has shied away from recognizing contemporary country artists. But with last year’s selection of Dolly Parton, and this year’s choice of Nelson, it’s clear the times they are a-changing.
“It’s long overdue,” John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, told the showbiz trade paper Variety. “And I think Dolly Parton getting inducted last year opened up the eyes of a lot of our voters to understand that country is a part of rock ‘n’ roll right next to gospel and rhythm and blues.
“I think that also shined a light on the incredible contributions that Willie’s made in, what, 98 records that he’s made over the years. So it was great to see him get so many votes from the body of 1,200 voters.
“Now, remember, Hank Williams, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, they’re all in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but there was I think a long dearth of country artists that contributed to rock ‘n’ roll that had gone unnoticed before we’ve seen two iconic country artists get recognized in the last two years.”
And how did Willie Nelson react when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame people called to give him the good news? “I thought they had the wrong number,” he says.
But seriously, folks…
