Perhaps no American cultural figure was more universally beloved than Dolly Parton. And that adoration stretched across generations and genres — as attested by reactions from top Detroit music figures following her death on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon,” Eminem wrote on his social media channels Tuesday evening. “A superstar in every sense. Rest easy Dolly.”
The Detroit rapper shared a personal note he received from the iconic country star following their simultaneous inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
In her message, Parton congratulated
him on that night’s honor, adding: “Your performance was amazing and everybody said so. Even though I don’t know a lot about rap music, I’ve come to know that you are the very best at it.”
The tributes came flowing from all corners Tuesday, including one from Motown’s Martha Reeves, who said that while she had met Parton just once, “I will always love you.”
“She was an incredible songwriter, performer and a true humanitarian,” Reeves wrote. “There will NEVER be another like her.”
Jack White, who regularly covered Parton’s “Jolene” during his White Stripes years, performed the classic country hit during his Tuesday night concert in London — his first public rendition of the song in nearly two decades.
“Instant Sainthood,” White wrote on Instagram alongside a vintage Parton photo.
A post from White’s Third Man Records elaborated on Parton’s impact, including her philanthropic work and global children’s books program, Imagination Library.
“Thank you, Dolly, for a lifetime of giving back and making the world a little brighter,” read the Third Man statement.
Kid Rock, now based in Nashville, shared a recent video message he’d received from Parton during their mutual birthday weekend: He was born Jan. 17, 1971; she arrived on Jan. 19, 1946.
“Hope you’re having as much fun as I’m hoping to have,” Parton told Rock in the clip.
Kid Rock added in his tribute:
“Quite simply The G.O.A.T (the greatest of all time),” he wrote. “Thanks for the songs, the laughs, the humility and grace. Without a doubt a woman who God truly has his hands on. Rock on Dolly, baby rock on.”
The official Instagram account for the late Aretha Franklin celebrated Parton as someone whose "immense talent, warmth, and heart shaped American music forever."
The Aretha post also called up Dolly's mutual words of admiration following the Queen of Soul's passing in 2018:
“I’m one of the lucky ones to have seen Aretha perform in the very beginning of her career," Parton wrote at the time. "She was amazing then and just became greater through the years.”
"Now, two legends are reunited in harmony," the Franklin account wrote. "Rest in power, Dolly."
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit stars honor Dolly Parton: Eminem, Jack White, Kid Rock, more
