Chrissie Hynde, the iconic vocalist and guitarist of the Pretenders, has recently made headlines for her statements denouncing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Amidst a growing outcry from women in the rock industry over the Hall’s lack of female representation, Hynde took to social media to voice her disassociation with the institution. In a characteristically blunt statement, Hynde declared, “If anyone wants my position in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, they are welcome to it. I don’t even wanna be associated with it. It’s just more establishment backslapping.”
While Hynde accepted her nomination nearly two decades ago, she has since expressed regret and explained the circumstances that led her to do so. “I was living a happy life in Rio when I got the call I was being inducted,” she said. “My heart sank because I knew I’d have to go back for it as it would be too much of a kick in the teeth to my parents if I didn’t.”
For Hynde, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame is nothing more than “total bollocks”, and has nothing to do with real rock ‘n’ roll. “Other than Neil Young’s participation in the induction process, the whole thing was, and is, total bollocks,” she mused. “It’s absolutely nothing to do with rock ‘n’ roll and anyone who thinks it is is a fool.” While her opinions are sure to be divisive, there is no denying the passion and conviction with which Hynde speaks her mind.
Alanis Morissette recently shared her thoughts on the institution, in a scathing critique, the singer-songwriter stated that “there is no need for me to spend time in an environment that reduces women.” Morissette, who dropped out of performing for the Hall of Fame in 2022, spoke out against the “overarching anti-woman sentiment” that she claims runs rampant in the music industry. While she did not name any individuals specifically, Morissette did note that she has experienced “condescension and disrespectfulness, reduction, dismissiveness, contract-breaching, unsupportiveness, exploitation and psychological violence (and more) throughout my career.”
With only 8.48 percent of its inductees being women, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has faced criticism from various quarters, including Courtney Love, who has also spoken out against the lack of representation for women in the institution.
