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Dolly Parton

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Dolly Parton was born in 1946 in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children in a poor family. She sang on local radio and television as a child, recorded a first single at thirteen and as a young girl moved to Nashville. There she first wrote songs for others, together with her uncle Bill Owens. Her own record contract with Monument Records brought little at first, until she was allowed to sing country. In 1967 her debut album Hello, I'm Dolly appeared.

Music and breakthrough

That year she joined Porter Wagoner's television show. Together they made many duets, and she gradually built a career of her own with Joshua in 1971 and Coat of Many Colors. Her greatest breakthrough of those years was Jolene from 1973. She left Wagoner in 1974 and afterwards wrote I Will Always Love You about their break-up. With Here You Come Again from 1977 she bridged the gap to a pop audience. She also acted in films, including 9 to 5 in 1980, and founded the theme park Dollywood.

Influence

Parton wrote more than three thousand songs and won eleven Grammys. Her high, clear soprano and her storytelling lyrics about poverty, love and parting made her one of the most successful women in country music. Many other artists covered her work. She died in 2026.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Jolene and notice the fast, repeated guitar figure with which the song begins. Can you hear how her voice pleads, while the accompaniment stays flat and firm?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsCountry