Music Icons Remember Dolly Parton As 'Pure Light' And An 'Angel' In Beautiful Tributes

The entertainment world is in mourning following the loss of one of the world’s most beloved stars, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/dolly-parton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dolly Parton.

On Monday night, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/dolly-parton-died_uk_6a8dda79e4b0bc51108be7e4">the country music legend’s family announced that she had died at the age of 80, remembering her as a “global icon and humanitarian” who lived a “rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see”.

Following the news, a number of her peers in the music industry and those who knew and worked with Dolly began sharing touching tributes, as well as their own memories of the remarkable superstar.

Among the first to pay their respects were her co-stars in the films 9 To 5 and Steel Magnolias.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/jane-fonda/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jane Fonda wrote on Instagram that she was “devastated” to have “just learned that Dolly has moved on”.

“I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,” the Oscar winner said.

“We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, 9 To 5, the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us.

And they are all blessings.

Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now.

“I never knew anyone like her.

She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves.”

Jane added: “She was many things… lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.

“She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right… and then she’d stick her butt out the car window and moon Kenny Rogers’ home.

She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy.

That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us.”

Their 9 To 5 co-star https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lily-tomlin/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lily Tomlin – with whom the pair would go on to star in Netflix’s Grace & Frankie – told her followers that she had “no words” following Dolly’s death, while https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/sally-field/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sally Field said: “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one.

Dolly Parton.

There will never be another.

“I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together.

Forever.”

The estate of country music star Kenny Rogers – who died in 2020, and with whom Dolly famously collaborated on their hit Islands In The Stream – said: “Though we write this through tears and feelings of extraordinary grief and sadness, at the same time we realise how thankful we are that you were able to live such a vibrant and meaningful life using your many God-given talents, in turn making millions of other lives better, and we are happy for you and the reunions you’re enjoying with your heavenly arrival.

“Dolly, we will think of you every step of the way… and we will ALWAYS love you!”

Numerous other big names from the country music scene have also been sharing tributes of their own, including https://www.huffpost.com/topic/reba-mcintyre/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reba McIntyre.

“Thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth,” Reba wrote on Instagram. “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shania-twain/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shania Twain remembered Dolly as “pure light from heaven”, describing her as “my mentor”, “my songwriting teacher” and “hero of grace and humility”.

“There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live,” she said.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/taylor-swift/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Taylor Swift issued a statement to https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-dolly-parton-dead-tribute-1236681122/?bt_ee=8hljos9lgdH5LzGbDq0%2FEEeunXqjzzdmO7HRAG4ZqWFaRucQVAJnTA%2B1f5D%2FHRDN&bt_ts=1787713210020#recipient_hashed=a565db5f6f095a447cbfe57f4593ef0dd655c221da2f227561567a82a377dc96&recipient_salt=0907b517ce69d89139817c5fd5945febd5d14eae3ac0325948cc8331dc1e160c&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News&utm_content=Taylor%20Swift%20Remembers%20Dolly%20Parton%27s">The Hollywood Reporter, which read: “A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right.

But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one.”

Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves also lamented that the “world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden”, while Brandi Carlile told her followers: “Dolly had a way of deeply belonging to every one of us, and yet somehow still not being of this world.

There’s really only one other person in human history I can think of who has held that light.

“I loved Dolly with all my heart.

Before I met her, I loved her because she took a risk and accepted me (and all of us) for being gay in a time where she didn’t need to say anything.

And she has been asked to comment and speak on MANY things over the years… choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people, and shutting down any line of questioning that won’t.

She never wavered on accepting anyone for who they were and who they were meant to be.

“After I met her, I loved her for being obscenely generous, whip smart and possessing the kind of otherworldly discernment I’ll never stop chasing.

Dolly was the boss to beat all bosses and I’m one of the lucky few to experience that side of her.

She was a musician’s musician, with expectations higher than the scariest roller coaster at Dollywood!

A bona fide rockstar, a preacher and the quickest comedian I ever took a shot from.”

Other musical legends – many of whom knew or collaborated with Dolly in her lifetime – from across different genres have been celebrating the Jolene singer’s life and legacy, too.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/celine-dion/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Celine Dion described Dolly as “pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit”.

“We will now be missing one of the most joyful voices this world has ever known,” Celine said. “Thank you for the music, the laughter, and the love you gave us all.

We will always love you.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/beyonce/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beyoncé – who worked with Dolly on her own country-inspired Cowboy Carter album, which featured a rewritten version of Jolene – said: “Dolly, you were the barometer.

The north star.

Bold and brilliant.

Talented and tenacious.

“You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself.

I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humour, your entrepreneurship.

“I’m honoured that I had the privilege to work with you.

I will treasure that forever.

Thank you for your profound impact on the world.

You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art.

You are truly one of one.

Rest peacefully.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/paul-mccartney/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sir Paul McCartney also remembered her as a “magnificent star” he’d known for decades, admitting: “She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed.

“Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/elton-john/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sir Elton John said he was “shocked and devastated” by the news, hailing Dolly as a “giant of an artist” who was “unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart”, while her peers https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/bette-midler/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bette Midler, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/barbra-streisand/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barbra Streisand and https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/dionne-warwick/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dionne Warwick led the way with their own emotional tributes

Everyone from Oprah Winfrey and Carol Burnett to Goldie Hawn, Reese Witherspoon and Graham Norton has since been remembering what made Dolly such an icon during her time in the spotlight.

“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,” Oprah enthused. “[There was] 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.”

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