Dolly Parton has revealed details for her long-awaited rock album, fittingly titled Rockstar, and the 30-track album is as star-studded as a Rock& Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The dual Country Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer pulled in rock legends including both surviving Beatles, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Elton John, and many more. Rockstar is out on November 17th.
Composed of 21 covers and nine original songs, the album hears Parton teaming up with the original authors and performers of interminable rock songs. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr join her for “Let It Be”, Peter Frampton chimes in on “Baby, I Love Your Way”, John Fogerty on “Long As I Can See The Light”, Debbie Harry on Blondie‘s “Heart of Glass”, and many more.
On other songs, Parton recruits top artists of today to tackle the hits of yesteryear. Subbing in for Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones‘ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, Parton recruits P!nk and Brandi Carlile while Lizzo and her “Sasha Flute” deliver what will surely be an album highlight with a take on Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven”. The album culminates with a cover of “Free Bird” featuring the voice of late Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant and guitar from recently deceased Gary Rossington as well as drums from Artimus Pyle.
The saga of how country icon Dolly Parton came to record an album of rock covers falls somewhere between a middle finger to the Rock Hall and the ultimate display of Southern hospitality. After Dolly was nominated for induction last year, she respectfully attempted to withdraw her name from consideration, saying, “I don’t think I have earned that right.” The Rock Hall responded by saying it was too late and the ballots were already sent out, and when the votes came back Parton had garnered enough support for induction.
In order to earn her place in the hall, Parton revealed that she was working on a rock cover album featuring greats from throughout the decades. At the induction ceremony back in November, she exclaimed, “I guess I’m a rock star now!” before performing “Jolene” with an array of artists featured on the album including Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford, P!nk, and Carlile.
The album’s lead single, “World on Fire”, drops on Wednesday. Parton will then premiere the track live on Thursday at the ACM Awards, which she is co-hosting with Garth Brooks.
