Dolly Parton took the stage like a true queen as she performed an electrifying version of her classic hit “Jolene” during her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It was a star-studded moment, with big names joining her on stage—Pink, Sheryl Crow, Rob Halford, Pat Benatar, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Brandi Carlile, and Simon Le Bon. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, making it feel like a well-deserved victory lap for the country music icon.
The show kicked off with Parton singing the song’s iconic opening hook. Then, Pink joined in for a powerful duet, her face lighting up with pure excitement—it was clear she was thrilled to be up there with Dolly. Pink took on the first verse with confidence before passing the mic to Eurythmics’ Annie Lennox, who added her own signature touch.
One by one, the stars took turns, with Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon stepping in next, followed by rock legend Pat Benatar. Just when the audience thought it couldn’t get any better, metal god Rob Halford of Judas Priest took his turn, adding his unique voice to the mix. The entire lineup came together for a massive, show-stopping chorus, giving the performance an explosive, larger-than-life energy.
The crowd loved every second of it. Fans in the audience cheered, and millions more tuned in online—1.1 million viewers watched the incredible performance on YouTube. Viewers flooded the comment section with praise, with one fan writing, “Dolly has music coursing through her soul. She can sing and harmonize perfectly with anyone she sings with. Pure talent.” Another admirer shared, “I love Dolly Parton’s inspiring, life-fulfilling spirit. She has a truly warm heart and an innovative spirit. God bless her!”
The special night took place on November 5, 2022, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, during the 37th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. It was an unforgettable evening, not just for Dolly but for all the legendary artists who were inducted that night.
Alongside Parton, other honorees included Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, and Judas Priest. The night was full of incredible music, and Dolly even treated the audience to another song, “Rockin’ It,” with the Zac Brown Band backing her up.
But believe it or not, Dolly almost didn’t accept the honor! When she first heard she was being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she didn’t think she deserved it. At first, she wanted to step aside, feeling that rock music wasn’t her genre. However, after thinking it over, she decided to embrace the moment and accept the honor.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, she proudly declared, “I’m a rock star now!” She went on to explain her initial hesitation: “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.”
Dolly Parton continues to shine as one of music’s greatest icons. If you loved her show-stopping performance and want to keep up with her music and life events, be sure to follow her on social media. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram. Stay tuned—because with Dolly, there’s always more magic to come!
