Paul McCartney has released a heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s passing at age 80. The former Beatle shared memories of meeting Parton and her performing partner Porter Wagoner during a visit to the Grand Ole Opry in the 1970s, recalling her vibrant personality and infectious energy at that time in her career.
McCartney praised Parton’s extraordinary contributions to music and philanthropy, describing her songwriting, vocal abilities, and charitable work as unmatched within country music. He expressed admiration for her business acumen and her profound influence on audiences worldwide, emphasizing the difficulty of imagining the world without her presence.
The musician highlighted their recent collaboration on a cover of “Let It Be” for Parton’s 2023 album Rockstar, which also featured Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, and Mick Fleetwood. McCartney stated that having Parton interpret his composition was among his greatest professional honors, and he expressed pride in having known and worked with the legendary performer.
McCartney’s tribute joined numerous expressions of grief from Parton’s peers in the music industry, including artists such as Jack White, Sheryl Crow, and Kacey Musgraves. The country legend’s cause of death has not been officially announced, though she had faced health challenges in recent months.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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