Dolly Parton is a legendary artist who has achieved so much throughout her incredible career. From writing and recording iconic songs to her philanthropic efforts, she has truly left a lasting impact. Not only has she given away over 100 million books to children in need and funded COVID vaccine research, but she has also built her very own successful amusement park.
Now, as Dolly prepares for her next album, she is setting out to achieve the seemingly impossible: reuniting the members of Led Zeppelin. She has her sights set on bringing Robert Plant and Jimmy Page together to collaborate on her new rock and roll album, and if anyone can make it happen, it’s Dolly Parton herself.
Dolly Parton, best known for her distinct country pop tunes, is expanding her musical horizons with a rock and roll album. The news of this genre shift came to light when she was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some people questioned whether Dolly, despite her incredible talent, was the right fit for a hall that celebrates rock music. Dolly agreed with these sentiments and respectfully declined the nomination, wanting to make space for someone she believed was more worthy. However, she also hinted at her future plans to venture into rock and roll, expressing her desire to release a great album in that genre.
Despite her reservations, Dolly remained on the ballot, received overwhelming support from fans, and will be officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. Determined to prove herself as a true “rock and roll” musician, Dolly is now making her dreams of a rock album a reality.
In an interview with Pollstar, Dolly shared her inspiration for the album, revealing, “My husband is a big hard rock ‘n’ roll fan, and for years I thought, ‘One of these days, I’d like to do an album mainly just for him, just to kind of do it.’ When I got nominated, I thought, ‘Why not just go ahead and do it while the iron’s hot? Maybe have some of the greats, the legends of rock ‘n’ roll sing along with me.’”
But Dolly’s ambition doesn’t stop there. She has a grand plan for this new album: reuniting Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to re-record their iconic track, “Stairway to Heaven.”
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are renowned as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, one of the most influential and successful groups in rock and roll history. Fans have long yearned for more Zeppelin music, but since the band officially disbanded in 1980 following the tragic death of drummer John Bonham, their reunion has remained elusive.
The surviving members of the band did perform together once at a sold-out benefit concert in 2007, which honored Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The performance was well-received, and fans eagerly hoped for a full reunion. However, Plant declined, and the conversations about a Zeppelin reunion fell silent.
When it comes to convincing Led Zeppelin to reunite, Dolly Parton is the one person who might have the power to make it happen. She expressed her hopes for Plant and Page to collaborate with her on her new album, specifically for a rendition of their iconic song, “Stairway to Heaven.” Although it’s unclear how serious Dolly’s plan is or if she intends to include the other surviving members of Led Zeppelin, her determination is evident.
Dolly has already recorded a country-inspired cover of “Stairway to Heaven” on her album Halo and Horns, showcasing her ability to reinvent songs while still honoring their essence. However, for her forthcoming rock album, she plans to return the song to its heavy rock and roll roots, creating a version that stays faithful to the original.
Alongside the hopeful addition of Page and Plant, Dolly intends to have other guest stars on her album. She shared her excitement, saying, “I’m looking forward to bringing in some of the great classic artists, both male and female, to sing on some of the songs. I can’t reveal details just yet, but I am definitely working on an album.”
We can’t help but be thrilled at the thought of a collaboration between Dolly Parton and Led Zeppelin. It’s a dream come true for music lovers, and we eagerly anticipate Dolly’s new rock album! Let’s share this story and spread the excitement for this remarkable project!
Watch Dolly Parton’s cover of “Stairway to Heaven” on her album Halo and Horns:
