Dolly Parton’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the musical spectrum, with rockers including Jack White, Slash and Steve Stevens among those mourning the loss of the country icon.
White summed up the feeling in characteristically vivid terms, writing that the singer earned “Instant Sainthood.” Stevens also shared his memories of the singer-songwriter, while Parton’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus — who had performed alongside her on numerous occasions — called it a “devastating day for humanity.”
Perhaps the most appropriate quote came from Parton’s corner of the music world, country singer Kacey Musgraves, who wrote on X, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
Parton died at 80 on August 25 following a period of health problems that had forced her to cancel her Las Vegas residency and step back from some public appearances. Her passing brings an end to one of the most extraordinary careers in popular music — one that stretched from the Appalachian roots of her childhood to country superstardom, Hollywood, Broadway and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Few artists have united music fans across such a broad spectrum. Parton’s songs reached far beyond country, from the universal workplace anthem “9 to 5” to “I Will Always Love You,” while her collaborations with rock artists on her Rockstar album cemented her status as an artist whose appeal transcended genre.
And for all the rhinestones and larger-than-life image, the acoustic guitar remained central to Parton’s story. It was there from the beginning, when a young Dolly received a Martin acoustic guitar that would become one of the formative instruments of her career — a humble reminder of the musician beneath the icon.
So many evil people in this world and we had to lose a pure heart like Dolly Parton. Devastating day for humanity. pic.twitter.com/HKJdqjZCiYAugust 25, 2026
