Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” Soars with Pink, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, Rob Halford, & Annie Lennox

Dolly Parton delivered a powerful rendition of “Jolene” during her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Country Queen was joined by a star-studded lineup, featuring Pink, Sheryl Crow, Rob Halford, Pat Benatar, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Brandi Carlile, and Simon Le Bon. The performance radiated with energy, serving as a celebratory moment for the iconic country legend.

Parton began the performance by singing the opening hook, followed by a duet with Pink, who then took over the first verse. Pink’s expression said it all, clearly thrilled to be sharing the stage with the legendary Dolly Parton. Annie Lennox from Eurythmics then took the next verse, and the chorus was delivered by the entire star-packed vocal lineup, creating a truly memorable moment.

As the performance continued, more big names took their turns. Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon followed Lennox with his verse, and the sequence was further energized by Pat Benatar and the metal icon Rob Halford.

The crowd loved the performance, and it became a hit online, with 1.1 million viewers tuning in to watch the “Jolene” live cut on YouTube. The comments section on YouTube was filled with admiration, with fans expressing their love for Dolly Parton’s talent and spirit. One fan wrote, “Dolly has music coursing through her soul. She can sing and harmonize perfectly with anyone she sings with. Pure talent,” while another shared, “I love Dolly Parton’s inspiring, life-fulfilling spirit. She has a truly warm heart and an innovative spirit. God bless her!”

The induction ceremony took place on November 5, 2022, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, during the 37th annual event. Pink had the honor of inducting Dolly Parton into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Other inductees that night included Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, and Judas Priest.

Backed by the Zac Brown Band, Parton not only performed “Jolene” but also delivered a second track, the aptly titled “Rockin’ It,” further highlighting her versatility and rock credentials.

Initially, upon learning of her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Parton contemplated withdrawing, feeling unworthy of the honor. However, after some reflection, she decided to embrace the recognition. During her acceptance speech, she proudly stated, “I’m a rock star now!” She then explained her initial hesitation, saying, “I’m sure a lot of you knew that back when they said they were gonna put me in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I didn’t feel like I had done enough to deserve that. And I didn’t understand at the time that it’s about more than that. But I’m just so honored and so proud to be here tonight.”