Dolly Parton has Elton, McCartney and Stevie Nicks on upcoming rock album. But she still wants Jagger
Dolly Parton doesnāt miss many opportunities.
So when the newly minted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer ā who initially balked at being inducted into a shrine labeled ārockā ā acquiesced and accepted the honor in November, it also sparked an idea.
If the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame wants Dolly, then Dolly will give the world some rock ānā roll.
Who is singing on Dolly's new rock album?
Her double album āRock Starā ā āa tongue in cheek title,ā Parton tells USA TODAY with a giggle ā is expected in late summer/early fall and the anticipated 28 tracks are stuffed with marquee names, many of them one-word recognizables (Elton, McCartney, Miley, Fogerty).
But Parton is a bit, well, unsatisfied that she still canāt corral one famously wiry rock star ā but more on him in a moment.
The indefatigable Parton is also channeling her energy into her new baking line with Duncan Hines; she released the song āDonāt Make Me Have to Come Down Thereā on her recent 77th birthday; and she just teamed with ā80s mavens Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Belinda Carlisle for the Diane Warren-penned āGonna Be You,ā heard in the new ā80 for Bradyā movie. (It is not lost on Parton that her participation in the song tangentially connects her to longtime ā9 to 5ā pals Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, who star in the film.)
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What was the controversy around Dolly's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction?
As she beams in from Nashville, Parton is visibly jazzed to discuss her upcoming album and spill some details about the songs and stars helping her fulfill a rock ānā roll fantasy.
Question: Letās flash back to the night of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. What was going through your head when youāre standing on stage with Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran and Pink and other artists, all singing āJoleneā?
Answer: It really was a cool moment. That was one of the highlights of my life.
Did you feel like you made it as a rock star?
I kinda felt like it at that moment. I even wrote a song for that moment (āRockināā). I didnāt mean to make a controversy of any kind (by initially refusing to be considered for induction). I just didnāt know that I should be in the Rock Hall and take any votes away from all of the great (rock) artists. But when they told me what it was all about and why, I accepted it gracefully. ⦠(Then) I thought, If Iām ever gonna do a rock ānā roll album, itās gonna be right now. Iām gonna be real proud to have that as part of my legacy.
How far along are you on the album?
Iāve got Elton (John) and Paul McCartney on it, Stevie (Nicks) and I just did our song together a couple of days ago. Miley (Cyrus), John Fogerty, Joan Jett, Pink, Brandi Carlile. We have a lot of iconic artists singing a lot of iconic songs, Hopefully weāre gonna have Annie Lennox ā she and Cher doing (Eurythmics) āSweet Dreams (Are Made of This.ā There are some covers and some of the big artists are singing on my originals as well.
What can you tell us about those songs?
Well, Simon (Le Bon) is singing a song I wrote, āMy Blue Tears.ā I was so excited because I could just hear his voice on it. He has that beautiful high voice and itās an Irish-sounding love song with bagpipes. Itās a love song about when a fella goes off to war and leaves his sweetheart behind and she cries her lonely blue tears and heās on the other side crying his lonely blue tears. Itās a big range that Simon will be great at.
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Are you still trying to get Mick Jagger?
I wanted a song for just me and Mick ā ā(I Canāt Get No) Satisfactionā ā and Brandi and Pink are now singing on it. Iām still waiting for Mick to come on back. He might come through. If not, Iāll kick his bony ass when I see him!
Dolly's favorite moments recording her rock album
What have been the most enjoyable moments of recording the album?
I had fun singing with Stevie (Nicks). Itās a song she wrote called āWhat Has Rock ān Roll Ever Done for Me,ā a cute little song. And John Fogerty, heās written so many great songs, but I always loved āLong As I Can See the Light.ā We did that as a duet and our voices were so good together. Iāve been on a high ā without being high like some of the rock ānā rollers (laughs).
Who is left to record?
Kent Wells, my musical director for 30 years is producing (the album) and heās in Los Angeles now recording Steven Tyler on an original and Steve Perry on āOpen Arms.ā We have so many wonderful singers. Iām gonna have to get on back to Mick (Jagger) and say, āYouāre gonna be sorry and youāre gonna have a knot on your head that youāre never gonna get over.ā⦠Iām gonna go get him and drag him right in.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton's rock album includes Elton John, McCartney, Stevie Nicks