Stevie Nicks has paid tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s death at 80, recalling the “best week ever” she spent recording with Parton in Nashville for her 2023 album Rockstar.
Nicks, 78, recorded “What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You” with Parton for Rockstar, the Fleetwood Mac singer’s first solo studio album in more than a decade. Following Parton’s death on Tuesday 25 August 2026, Nicks shared a letter on Instagram describing the experience and the opportunity to learn from one of music’s most celebrated songwriters.
Stevie Nicks calls working with Dolly Parton a masterclass
Nicks spent a week with Parton in Nashville while recording their collaboration. She described the experience as an education, saying she tried to absorb as much as possible from the country star.
“I spent a week with Dolly in Nashville to record one of my songs with her for her ‘Rock Star’ album.”
“Best week ever.”
Nicks went on to describe Parton as an exceptionally good teacher and herself as an eager student.
“A week with Dolly was like a master class for me. I tried to be a sponge – and learn everything I could learn from her – in a very few days. Learning from her was easy because she was a really good teacher. I think she saw me as a really good student; I just tried to listen.”
The collaboration gave Nicks a close-up view of Parton’s work as she developed the Rockstar project, which saw the country legend record songs associated with major rock artists alongside original material.
Dolly Parton embraced her rock star era
Parton’s Rockstar album was released in November 2023 after she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. The project featured Parton’s interpretations of songs by artists including Led Zeppelin, Queen and The Rolling Stones, alongside collaborations with a long list of rock and pop performers.
Nicks said Parton was fully committed to the idea of becoming a rock star and continued looking for material for the album during their time together.
“She said she could become a rock star – and I watched her do it. When I was there she was not even close to being finished gathering more rock roll songs that she wanted to sing.”
The experience appears to have stayed with Nicks, who ended her tribute with a poem addressed directly to Parton.
Stevie Nicks writes a poem for Dolly Parton
Nicks’ closing tribute reflected both women’s connection to songwriting and their different musical backgrounds.
“So,
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
Rock and Roll and Country
Carry all those songs with you
Right up to heaven
Sing your songs to all those you meet
This will be their blessing
Dolly, how we’ll miss you
There’ll never be another you
And I will always love you
Love Love Love,
Stevie.”
Parton died aged 80 on Tuesday 25 August 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. Her death prompted tributes from musicians and public figures around the world.
Don McLean compares Dolly Parton’s death with Elvis
Among those remembering Parton was singer-songwriter Don McLean, best known for “American Pie”.
McLean compared the global reaction to Parton’s death with the response to Elvis Presley’s death in 1977.
“The death of Dolly Parton is as big as Elvis.”
“This rocks the country and the world in the same way and we won’t get over this for a long time.”
He concluded:
“God bless this beautiful girl.”
Parton’s death closes the career of one of country music’s most recognisable figures, but her influence extends across country, rock and pop. Her songwriting catalogue, collaborations and six-decade recording career have ensured her music reaches well beyond the genre in which she first became a star.
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