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Chet Atkins Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

December 14, 2001 | People
Late guitar great Chet Atkins, whose virtuoso playing influenced the likes of Elvis and Beatle George Harrison, is this year's "side man" inductee. Atkins, who died of cancer in July at the age of 77, was known as Nashville's Mr. Guitar. His innovative session work backed Elvis Presley ("Heartbreak Hotel"), the Everly Brothers ("Wake Up Little Susie," "Bye Bye Love" and "All I Have to Do Is Dream") and Hank Williams ("Jambalaya," "Your Cheatin' Heart"). Brenda Lee in inducted this year too. This year's 17th annual enshrinement ceremony and jam session will take place on March 18 in New York and be televised on VH1 on March 20.