In this divisive world we live in, it was good to see the global outpouring of grief and appreciation for the life of Dolly Parton who passed away last week at the age of 80.
Most British people absolutely adored her and the reigning monarch, King Charles, chose to honor her by instructing the Band of the Coldstream Guards, the ones on the postcards wearing bearskin hats and red tunics as they parade outside Buckingham Palace, to play a rendition of her hit, 9 to 5, during the Changing of the Guard on August 26th. This was posted on the royal family’s Instagram account with the message: “Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many - including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library. We will always Y
you.” King Charles is 77 years old, and Queen Camilla recently turned 79 so Dolly Parton was very much of their generation and the fact that the King has faced his own battle with cancer makes the tribute even more poignant. While Dolly Parton was devoted to and forever associated with Tennessee, people are not always aware that she had a deep, abiding love affair with England and London in particular. This legendary country star first came to London in 1975, one year after the release of “I Will Always Love You”.
Parton performed in the UK for the first time ever at the Festival of Country Music at Wembley Arena, which is only about 20 miles from where we lived in England. This was not only Dolly’s first trip to the UK but her first outside the United States!
Parton explained in a 2023 interview that she “loved England”, saying: “I couldn’t believe that there was a world like that. Imagine, we used to read about kings and queens in books. I loved all that royalty stuff. I was always impressed by the robes and jewelry – the stories were like fairy tales to me.
But then, when I actually saw castles and churches and all the stuff I had in my mind, it was amazing. We don’t have stuff like that in the United States.”
Dolly Parton met Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, performing at a Royal Variety Performance in Glasgow alongside other stars.
This long-standing British tradition dates back to 1912 and combines entertainment and charity to support elderly and needy entertainers. From 1927 these shows were broadcast on radio and from 1960 on television and always begin with the royal family’s entrance and the singing of “God Save the Queen or King,” followed by a variety of acts bowing to both the audience and the royals. It is part of the fabric of British life and was part of my growing up and living in the UK, and one of those little things that unite the citizens of the land of my birth.
Surprisingly, Dolly Parton never achieved a UK number one single or album during her lifetime, although “9 to 5” reached number one last week, 46 years after its release, compared to only reaching number 47 in 1981.
“Jolene” had done rather better reaching number seven in 1976, which was also the same spot that she achieved with her duet “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers in 1984.
I remember being astonished at the age of about ten when I first saw her perform Jolene on the BBC’s long-running Top of the Pops, a hugely popular TV show which aired weekly from 1964 to 2006 and featured artists from the UK Singles Chart. In the 1970s the UK only had three TV channels, so this show with live performances by pop singers which broadcast at 7:00p.m. on Thursdays was required viewing by young and old and was always the topic of conversation at school on Friday mornings.
In our dark green school uniforms in drab and rainy 1970s Britain, Dolly was like a strangely beautiful and exotic creature from another planet, but we were fascinated and adored her. She didn’t look like anyone we had ever seen, and she definitely didn’t sound like anything familiar in the UK 50 years ago.
Dolly Parton’s passing is even more sad because it marks the end of yet another celebrity that my generation grew up with. Dolly, you were supposed to live forever or at least not leave us yet! Her positivity, generosity and amazing amount of philanthropic work combined with talent, an incredible work ethic and charisma will be missed by millions of people. There is a lot more information at www.bbc.co.uk and www. dollyparton. com I will say goodbye this week with a famous quote by the Queen of Country Music herself - “When I’m done, I can rest in peace knowing I’ve done my best. I hope that when my time comes, I’ll leave something behind that others can use to lift themselves up.” You succeeded Dolly, and the world is a poorer place without you in it.
God bless America and R.I.P. Dolly Parton.
Lesley grew up in London, England and made Georgia her home in 2009.
She can be contacted at lesley@lesleyfrancispr. com or via her PR and marketing agency at www.lesleyfrancispr. com