Music World Remembers Dolly Parton: “There Will Never Be Another You”
Dolly Parton was a country music icon, but her songs, spirit and influence crossed every musical boundary.
Following Parton’s death Tuesday at 80, tributes poured in from across rock, country, pop, film and television—honoring a singular entertainer who earned her place in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Jack White, who famously turned “Jolene” into a raw rock anthem with The White Stripes, shared a photo of Parton with a fitting two-word tribute: “Instant Sainthood.”
Reba McEntire remembered Parton’s music and enormous generosity.
“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth,” McEntire wrote. “There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.”
The Jacksons called Parton a “true trailblazer” whose talent, kindness and generosity opened doors and inspired generations around the world.
Kacey Musgraves wrote that the loss “really, really hurts,” adding, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
Kelly Clarkson remembered Parton as someone who made everyone feel “special, and seen, and welcomed,” while actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth called her “the ultimate inspiration.”
Lily Tomlin, Parton’s longtime friend and co-star in the classic 1980 film 9 to 5, offered a simple, heartbreaking response: “No words.”
Tomlin previously described Parton’s “9 to 5” as more than a movie theme, calling it a cultural anthem. The film marked Parton’s big-screen debut, while its title song became another chart-topping, Grammy-winning entry in one of America’s greatest catalogs.
From “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” to “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton wrote timeless songs that could live comfortably in country, pop or rock. Her songwriting was so durable that artists could completely reinvent her work without losing its heart.
That genre-spanning legacy earned Parton a place among only 17 artists inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—a rare group that also includes Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.
Parton sold more than 100 million records during her six-decade career, but her impact extended well beyond music. Her Imagination Library has provided nearly 308 million free books to children, while her philanthropy supported wildfire victims, education and medical research.
Parton’s family announced her death Tuesday in a message shared by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. No cause of death was provided.
The Muppets may have captured the feeling best: “There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton.”