Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
The entertainment world has been plunged into mourning following the death of American country music legend Dolly Parton, whose six-decade career made her one of the most recognisable figures in global music.
Parton died on August 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, southern eastern United States at the age of 80. She was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee.
Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, confirmed that the singer died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre after a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives said she was surrounded by loved ones.
News of her death quickly triggered an outpouring of grief from musicians, actors and other international personalities who worked with, knew or were inspired by the woman behind classics such as Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You.
Taylor Swift was among those who paid tribute to Parton, describing her death as difficult to comprehend while celebrating the singer’s generosity and influence.
“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” Swift said, adding that Parton’s legacy would remain everlasting because of the lives she touched.
Swift also remembered Parton as a woman who combined “true grace and true grit”, praising both her artistic independence and her concern for people facing hardship.
Actress Jane Fonda said Parton’s death represented the loss of a friend whose personality had touched millions. The friendship between Parton, Fonda and Lily Tomlin became one of Hollywood’s celebrated partnerships after the three starred together in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5. Tomlin’s response to Parton’s death was brief but emotional, saying she struggled to find words to express how she felt.
“I never knew anyone like her,” Fonda said.
Music stars also struggled to find words adequate to describe the loss. Paul McCartney of
The Beatles remembered meeting Parton in Nashville and praised her song-writing,
singing and philanthropy. He also recalled the honour of having Parton record his song Let It Be.
Linda Ronstadt, who recorded with Parton, described their musical collaboration as one of the extraordinary experiences of her life.
“The world is a poorer place without her,” Ronstadt said.
Country singer Reba McEntire, another close associate, thanked Parton for the love and music she gave the world.
“There will never ever be another you,” McEntire said in her tribute.
Cyndi Lauper reflected on Parton’s work beyond music, pointing to the way she used her fame and fortune to help others.
“I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself, ‘What would Dolly do?’” Lauper said.
Former United States president Barack Obama highlighted both sides of her extraordinary life, the girl who grew up in a one-room cabin and the international star who built a business empire while supporting children’s literacy.
“It’s hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton. Born in a one-room cabin, she earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, helped millions of kids learn to read, and, as if that wasn’t enough, helped accelerate the research that led to the Moderna Covid vaccine. What a life. Michelle and I are thinking of Dolly’s family and her many, many fans.”
Beyoncé, who collaborated with Parton on a version of Jolene, described her as a “north star”, praising her talent, humour, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Céline Dion also mourned the loss of what she called one of the world’s most joyful voices, thanking Parton for the music, laughter and love she gave audiences.
Locally, Canada-based Zimbabwean actor and musician Noma Nkwali said Parton’s death had brought back memories of a remarkable encounter that remains etched in her memory more than a decade later.
Nkwali had the rare opportunity to meet the country music legend in 2013 while performing with the internationally acclaimed Mother Africa Circus at Parton’s Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, United States. What began as an ordinary performance day turned into an unforgettable meeting when Parton watched the show, went backstage to meet the performers and then surprised everyone by joining them on stage.
“Dolly Parton’s passing is truly heart-breaking. Meeting her in 2013 at Dollywood while I was performing with Mother Africa Circus is a moment I will never forget. She watched our show, came backstage, and then, to our surprise and excitement, joined us on stage,” wrote Nkwali.
“I remember her warmth and humility so clearly. She even told me, ‘You have a lovely voice.’ Those words stayed with me and meant so much coming from someone I had admired for years.”
For an artiste like Nkwali, who has carved her own path in the international music scene, receiving such personal encouragement from an icon of Parton’s stature was more than a fleeting compliment. It became a treasured memory and a reminder of the influence established artistes can have on emerging musicians through simple gestures of acknowledgement and encouragement.
Nkwali said Parton represented much more than her extraordinary catalogue of music and decades-long career.
“Dolly represented more than just an incredible musician and entertainer. She was an example of what it means to remain humble, generous and encouraging even after achieving such incredible success. I feel very blessed that our paths crossed. That memory will always be a special part of my journey as an artiste. She will be deeply missed,” she said.
