Dolly Parton has proclaimed herself as an ‘official rockstar’ following a major achievement of her rock album, as announced on her official website.
After being nominated for the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Parton initially hesitated to accept the nomination, feeling she hadn’t earned her place among rock legends. Yet, upon reflection and recognizing the inclusive nature of the Hall of Fame, she embraced her induction and committed to proving herself in the rock genre.
A Promise Turned Triumph
True to her word, the singer released ‘Rockstar,’ a rock album featuring an impressive lineup of music legends, marking a significant pivot from her country roots. Four months post-release, ‘Rockstar’ achieved RIAA Gold Certification in the U.S., with sales surpassing 500,000. Parton expressed her gratitude and excitement over this milestone, saying:
“When I set out to make my rock album, I always hoped it would be embraced by my fans as well as people who may not listen to my music. I am thrilled to receive this Gold record! Thank you to everyone who was a part of this project. I guess I can now officially say I am a rockstar!”
Before the album’s release, the musician shared her motivations and aspirations for venturing into rock music on CBS Mornings. Reflecting on her career and her husband’s influence, she highlighted the timing and her desire to explore new musical territories despite initially doubting the move into rock.
Recognition In Rock
Following the release of ‘Rockstar,’ Rob Halford of Judas Priest commended Parton’s bold entry and success in the rock genre. In a conversation with NME, Halford celebrated Parton’s recognition, explaining:
“I’m just so pleased for this woman to get the recognition in that genre, because initially she turned it down. She genuinely felt, ‘This isn’t right for me. Thanks for the respect and everything, but I’m Dolly, and I do bla bla bla.’ But of course, she’s had a blast, and all these people lined up to perform with her. Again, it’s a testimony to the importance. She’s this living, breathing icon of music. It’s nuts.”
The 30-track album, released in November, includes collaborations with icons such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Miley Cyrus, among others. Expanding her musical repertoire even further, Parton recently delved into the rap genre with ‘Powerful Women,’ a collaboration with Pitbull. The track debuted at Number 4 on Billboard’s Rap Digital Song Sales chart.
