Dolly Parton plans to cover Prince and Rolling Stones on 'rock' album

Virgin Radio

4 Dec 2022, 08:34

She told the world at her 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Dolly Parton is planning to cover some of the most iconic rock songs ever recorded on her upcoming album, Rockstar, due next 'fall' as the Americans might say.

The beloved 76-year-old singer teased the project during Wednesday's (November 30th) episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.

Dolly said the new album will feature both original songs and covers of "iconic" songs such as 'Purple Rain' by Prince, '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' by the Rolling Stones, 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin and 'Freebird' by Lynyrd Skynyrd. She also teased cameos by other artists.

The country legend first flagged her involvement in the project when being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month.

"I really think it's some of the best work I've ever done," she said. "I think so. Only because it's different for me. I wanted it to be good."

On the subject of that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, it appears that the storied journey to Dolly's induction might have been what influenced this change in direction.

Back in March, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee asked for her nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to be withdrawn from the ceremony.

"Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don't feel that I have earned that right," she said. "I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out."

Parton's request to bow out was declined, and she ultimately accepted the nomination. "Of course I will accept it gracefully," she said in a statement shared on social media. "Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the @rockhall. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor."

And so at the ceremony on November 5th, the 'Jolene' singer told the assembled crowd, "I'm sure a lot of you knew that back when they said they were gonna put me in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I didn't feel like I had done enough to deserve that. I didn't understand at the time that it's about more than that, but I'm just so honoured and so proud to be here tonight."

She then revealed she wrote a new song, titled 'Rockin', specifically for the event. She then appeared on stage in leather and chains and playing an electric guitar.

"If I'm going to go in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm going to have to earn it," she said. "And you thought I couldn't rock 'n' roll!"

Later, she was joined by Brandi Carlile, Pink, and fellow inductees Pat Benatar, Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, and Judas Priest's Rob Halford for a performance of 'Jolene'.

To paraphrase the immortal words of AC/DC... Dolly, for those about to rock, we salute you!