Dolly Parton remembered as ‘true country music icon’

By Pierra Willix and Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association

Dolly Parton has been remembered as a “true country music icon” following her death aged 80.

The singer’s death was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver, who said sharing the news was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness”.

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, country music’s most well-known venue and where Dolly Parton first appeared at age 13, paid tribute to the late singer on Instagram.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we say goodbye to a true country music icon, Opry member Dolly Parton.

“There is no doubt Dolly’s mark on the world, and on us here at the Grand Ole Opry, will be deeply felt for generations to come. She taught us to always lead with kindness, generosity and compassion.

“May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched, and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her. We will always love you, Dolly.”

Sharing a photo of them together, actress Lily Tomlin said she had “no words”, also sharing a broken heart emoji.

The pair were lifelong friends, also starring in the 1980 film 9 To 5 alongside Jane Fonda.

Singer Carole King said her “heart was breaking”. She wrote: “In addition to her musical talents, she was an exemplary human being.”

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis added: “Thank you, Dolly. For all of it.”

Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis called Parton an “untouchable legend”.

She wrote on Instagram: “I will never forget her coming here in 2014 and bringing her incredible songs, overflowing joy and wonderful spirit to Worthy Farm. We had always dreamt of booking her for Glastonbury and I started to think that maybe it would never happen, but the stars aligned and she finally said yes.

“From the moment she arrived, she was an absolute delight, just so lovely. There was a vast crowd in the field for her slot, the sun shone, and when she walked out onto the Pyramid stage she reigned supreme. It was just magic. Thank you for it all, Dolly.”

Country singer Reba McEntire made a personal tribute to her “buddy Dolly”.

On Instagram, she wrote: “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.

“Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge, huge heart. There will never ever be another you.

“We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favourite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.”

McEntire added: “I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”

Singer Dionne Warwick – who collaborated with Parton on the 2023 song Peace Like A River – said her heart was “heavy” and she would miss Dolly Parton’s jokes.

She said in a post on X and Instagram: “I will certainly miss her laughter, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy.”

In a series of online posts on X, country music star Kacey Musgraves shared: “Dolly. This really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”

Fellow country singer Keith Urban shared: “Heartbroken today. Honestly… I have no words right now.”

Seth Macfarlane, who worked with Parton on sci-fi comedy series The Orville, wrote that it was an “extraordinary” experience.

He wrote: “Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one, and the benign yet assured command she maintained over her empire was obvious from the genuine love and trust you could see from everyone who worked for her. The world is a dimmer place today without her.”

Singer and actress Kristen Chenoweth, who recorded a version of I Will Always Love You with Parton in 2019, said: “Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken. I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.”

In 1986, Miss Piggy and Kermit appeared on her TV variety show, Dolly, with The Muppets’ official Instagram page also paying tribute.

It shared: “There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton. She was the ultimate singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and philanthropist. She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off.”

Actor Colman Domingo shared: “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her.”

Meanwhile, US Senator Bernie Sanders called her “one of the great entertainers of our era” but also “a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief”.

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger honoured the singer in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram including a photograph of the pair together.

He said: “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”

Meanwhile TV presenter Oprah Winfrey said one of her fondest memories with Parton was “having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly.”

She added: “This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn’t.

“No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.

“God bless you, Dolly — you earned your wings.”

Actress Bette Middler said she was “devastated” and described Parton’s voice as “pure gold” with a “heart to match”.

“I’m sure the nation will mourn her as I do, and for many years to come,” she added, “what a terrible, terrible loss”.

Parton appeared on her sitcom Bette where the pair sang a rendition of her song Islands In The Stream.

The Academy also paid tribute to the country star who was also a two-time Oscar nominee and was honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian award last year for her “extraordinary compassion and generosity”.

The post featured a video of Parton from the 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as she sings I Will Always Love You.

The caption read: “Few stars could light up a screen, tell a story through a song, or find their way into our hearts quite like Dolly Parton.

“Dolly brought something entirely her own to everything she did. She was radiant on screen and in song; she could put a lifetime of feeling into just a few words. And through it all, there was a warmth to Dolly that made her feel wonderfully close to us.”