Carol Kaye, a highly influential bassist known for her work on numerous iconic songs in the 1960s, has announced her decision to decline induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF). At 90 years old, Kaye expressed her sentiments through an email to the Associated Press, stating, “I’ve declined the rrhof. Permanently” and confirmed by sending a formal letter to the Hall. Her announcement follows a now-deleted Facebook post where she firmly rejected attending the awards ceremony scheduled for November, where she was to be inducted alongside notable artists like Joe Cocker, Chubby Checker, and Cyndi Lauper.
Kaye’s hesitation stems from her belief that the RRHOF does not adequately represent the contributions of studio musicians from the 1960s, a time she referred to as the “golden era of Recording Hits.” She is famous for her bass lines on tracks such as Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound,” the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” and the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.” Kaye was part of a prolific group of session musicians known as “The Wrecking Crew,” a label she disliked, asserting in her post, “I was never a ‘wrecker’ at all.”
Her sentiments add to a history of artists who have rejected Hall honors, with high-profile examples including the Sex Pistols and Dolly Parton, who initially declined but later accepted her induction. Kaye’s discontent resonates with many studio musicians, underscoring the ongoing debate about recognition within the music industry.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
