This week’s death of Dolly Parton was a crushing reminder of the inevitable closing of another generation’s chapter. So much talent, so much goodness, so much fabric in the tapestry of time, is “exiting stage left.”
Sigh.
It hurts to lose our icons, especially those who gave so much more than their talents.
Parton was born in 1946 in rural Appalachia. The fourth of 12 children, she grew up poor, an experience that stayed with her.
She sang her way to the top of the entertainment industry, winning 11 Grammys, two Academy Award nominations, six Golden Globes and a Tony Award. She wrote more than 3,000 songs over her career, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again” and “I Will Always Love You.”
In so many ways, she was a contributor to both the entertainment industry and the human condition.
She supported women, children, the LGBTQ population, the poor, you, me, everyone.
She was steadfast in her insistence on keeping her loud, glittery, somewhat glamourous, somewhat trashy look.
In being herself, she gave us permission to do the same.
Musicians admired her musicality. Writers were impressed by her ability to infuse emotion into lyrics. Actors took her seriously. And business people knew her as no one to mess with.
Working women, in particular, celebrated her role in the hilarious 1980 movie, “9 to 5,” an anthem for our time.
She even held numerous Guinness World Records, including “Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums” chart by a woman.
But perhaps the most impressive thing the seemingly tireless Parton did during her 80 years was donate much of her wealth to impoverished communities. She never forgot where she came from.
In 1995, she started Imagination Library, a nonprofit that has given more than 300 million free books to children around the world.
There are so many reasons to celebrate Parton’s life.
She was flamboyant yet soft-spoken, shiny yet genuine. She was loud yet soft, sharp yet flip. She sparkled — both outside and in.
She was unique.
Everything about her was over the top. Her rhinestone gowns, her sky-high wigs, her God-given talents and her love for others.
She was a giver.
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When the news of her death was announced, the universe gave back.
Heads of state, parents of book recipients, music fans, movie fans and, like me, women who felt blessed to have had such a glamorous role model publicly mourned the loss.
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Sally Field paid tribute.
Beyonce, Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus were among the many in the music world who lit up the internet with heartfelt comments.
Even Linda Ronstadt, who has been reclusive in recent years, posted a public statement.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Dolly Parton. One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her. The world is a poorer place without her,” she wrote.
Among the songs Ronstadt, Parton and Emmylou Harris collaborated on was Neil Young’s “After the Goldrush.” They performed it on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
In the wake of the news, that performance was shared and reshared across social media, with many speculating that must be “what heaven sounds like.”
In 1973, Parton wrote the iconic “I Will Always Love You,” which Whitney Houston eventually catapulted to international fame.
Parton wrote the song as a way to say goodbye to Porter Waggoner, the country music star who had been her mentor.
Over the years, many singers, including Elvis Presley, asked for permission to record the song. Parton turned them down.
But in 1992, Houston recorded it for the film, “The Bodyguard.” It went on to sell more than 20 million copies.
After learning of Parton’s passing, Kevin Costner, who starred alongside Houston in the romantic thriller, posted “Oh my goodness. Where did you go Dolly? We are all breathless… Thank you for trusting me with ‘I Will Always Love You.’”
Respects were also displayed geographically. Lights in New York City’s Empire State Building, Chicago’s Willis Tower and Nashville’s International Airport turned pink in her memory. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was bedecked in flowers. And, at Buckingham Palace in London, the King’s Guard played “9 to 5.”
Like me, the world is grateful for her talents and for her wisdom and for the fact that she stayed true to herself, even if, as she once said, it did take “a lot of money to look this cheap.”
Like Frank Sinatra, she did it her way.
And that way was legend.
Donna Vickroy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years. She can be reached at [email protected].