Dolly Parton has long transcended genres, dominating country while also earning steady respect in the rock and pop music communities. This October, Patron has a new album coming out full of collaborations and one of them was supposed to be with the legendary Tina Turner.
The star-studded lineup in Parton’s upcoming album, Rockstar, includes her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, as well as Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, and even Sting. It features a mix of original songs and covers. Sadly, before Parton could arrange a dream duet with Turner, the Queen of Rock and Roll died at the age of 83.
Dolly Parton had a song picked out for Tina Turner on her new album
Turner’s health had been on the decline leading up to her death – and she’d been fighting fierce health battles throughout much of her life. She had high blood pressure since ‘78, endured PTSD caused by her abusive former partner Ike. In 2016, she’d been diagnosed with intestinal cancer. She retreated to her home in Switzerland, her days turning quiet and blessedly calm.
RELATED: Billy Joel Honors Tina Turner In Headline Concerts Alongside Stevie Nicks
Meanwhile, Parton was working on her new album and eyed Turner for one of her collaborations. Parton told her plans to Chris Lord-Alge, who mixed the album and knew Turner well. “He was going over there to do some business anyway where she lives, so he was going to take that to her,” she recalled. “And he told me, ‘You know, she’s not in good health. I don’t think this is going to happen.’ I was really sad about that, because I had the perfect song that we were going to do.”
Parton further revealed, “I didn’t even put it on the album. It was a song I wrote called ‘Stay Out Of My Bedroom’ (first recorded with Sylvester Stallone for 1984 movie “Rhinestone”). Maybe I’ll do it some other time with somebody else.”
Parton was a longtime fan of the Queen of Rock and Roll
Parton has a demonstrated history of respecting and worshiping Turner. Speaking with USA Today, she reflected on the heroic place Turner has in her heart – a place of veneration she maintained for years. In fact, Parton’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction outfit was inspired by Turner.
“Yeah, well, I love Tina Turner,” confirmed Parton. She reflected on Turner and marveled at how she did not know the extent to which Turner had been ill. “But I love Tina and that outfit I wore for the Rock & Roll acceptance speech. I was thinking of her the whole time,” she went on to confirm. “It felt like something that she would wear. I showed my legs, which are not nearly as beautiful as hers, nor as long.”
Rockstar formally hits shelves on November 17.
