In Memoriam
Dolly Parton
January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026 · aged 80
Country · Pop
Dolly Rebecca Parton was a global icon whose boundless talent, sparkling wit, and immense philanthropy transcended the boundaries of country music. Born in a one-room cabin in rural Tennessee in 1946, Parton built an empire on her incredible songwriting and unmistakable soprano voice. She authored enduring classics like 'Jolene' and the emotionally devastating 'I Will Always Love You,' which later became a colossal pop hit for Whitney Houston. Her crossover into pop and film with '9 to 5' solidified her status as an entertainment powerhouse. Beyond her staggering musical achievements—with countless Grammy Awards and number-one hits—Parton was a famously generous humanitarian, notably funding childhood literacy programs through her Imagination Library and crucially supporting vaccine research. She passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. The world lost not just a country music titan, but one of its most universally beloved figures.
Milestones
Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5
Also remembered in 2026
- Bob Weir (1947–2026)
- Country Joe McDonald (1942–2026)
- Frank Beard (1949–2026)
- Sonny Rollins (1930–2026)