Cher is probably not the first name that comes to mind when you think of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – and if she says so, it’ll stay that way. Despite having a dynamic career and officially becoming the first woman to ever have #1 singles over the course of seven decades, Cher will forever distance herself from the foundation.
Now 77, Cher recently told Kelly Clarkson that while she may not be the only artist to have achieved such a feat, she thinks hers is more impressive because “it took four of them to be one of me,” citing The Rolling Stones. Then she added, “And I’m not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!” The Stones, for reference, were inducted in 1989, the same year Cher released one of her biggest hits, “If I Could Turn Back Time”.
While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has become something of a joke, an induction still means something special to a number of musicians. Yet at this point, Cher wants nothing to do with the honor, saying, “You know what, I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me a million dollars. I’m not kidding you…I’m never going to change my mind. They can just you-know-what themselves.” It might be worth noting here that Jann Wenner – who co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – was removed from his position after controversial remarks in part targeting female musicians, saying they were not “as articulate enough on this intellectual level” as their male counterparts.
Cher may not be “rock and roll”, but there are plenty of other artists in the Hall of Fame that don’t fit the genre all that neatly. Just this year, rapper Missy Elliott, country legend Willie Nelson and R&B group The Spinners were inducted; while they are far from being clear examples of rock and roll, they do at least exude some of the spirit of or proved to be influential to artists in the genre. Under these criteria, Cher would deserve a spot, perhaps even as a two-time inductee. So come on, voters, snap out of it!
Cher landed her first #1 single with Sonny Bono for 1965’s “I Got You Babe”, landing her seventh this year with the new holiday song “DJ Play a Christmas Song”.
Do you think Cher deserves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame based on her accolades and wide-ranging career in the music industry? Give us your take in the comments.
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