Cher‘s celebrated her holiday single “DJ Play a Christmas Song” hitting the top of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” noting that she’s the only solo artist to have No. 1 hits in seven decades. The only other music act to achieve this feat is rock band the Rolling Stones.
“It took four of them to be one of me,” Cher wisecracked. She then reminded the audience: “And I’m not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Clarkson and her studio audience gasped. “Wait, are you serious?” Clarkson asked the singer.
“I’m not kidding you,” Cher said. “I was about to say shitting you! You know what, I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me a million dollars … I’m never going to change my mind. They can just go you-know-what themselves.”
Cher has been hitting the press circuit over the last few weeks in support of her Christmas album, appropriately titled “Christmas.” The record, released in late October, marked Cher’s first album of original material in 10 years. She touted the album with performances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting.
Popular on Variety
On “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Cher called out her snub from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and said, “I changed music forever with ‘Believe.'” The 1998 single pioneered the use of auto-tune technology in pop music.
The 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony took place in November and honored inductees Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliot, Willie Nelson, George Michael, Rage Against the Machine and the Spinners. The 2022 class of inductees included Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Eurythmics and Carly Simon.
Parton’s induction made numerous headlines throughout 2022 after the country music legend initially said she was declining the nomination.
“Even though I am extremely flattered to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” the singer-songwriter wrote in a statement. “I really do not want the votes split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out. I do hope that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy.”
Parton ended up “graciously” accepting the nomination and even put out a rock album, “Rockstar,” earlier this year that debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album charts.
Watch Cher on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in the video below.
