Dolly Parton Says She Sent ‘Love Note’ to Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr to Ask Them for ‘Rockstar’ Collaboration

November 22, 2023 E Jazz Reporter

Artistes

The trio teamed up for a cover of The Beatles’ “Let It Be.”

Dolly Parton

Courtesy of Butterfly Records

Dolly Parton had a sweet technique in getting Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to collaborate with her on her recently released rock album, Rockstar.

“So I just sent them a love note through their managers, and I just said what I was doing,” the icon told NPR. “And I said, ‘I didn’t want to put you on the spot, but I’d love to have you sing with me on my rock album. And if you’re interested, call me at this number. And all the people I reached out to said, ‘Yes, we’d love to,’ and I was very honored and very proud and very humbled by that.”

Ultimately, the Beatles duo teamed up with Parton for a cover of the rock band’s iconic 1970 hit, “Let It Be,” along with Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood. “Well, does it get any better than singing ‘Let It Be’ with Paul McCartney who wrote the song? Not only that, he played piano,” Parton added. “Well, it did get even better when Ringo Starr joined in on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood playing percussion. I mean, seriously, how much better does it get? Thanks guys!”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

On Rockstar, which arrived on Nov. 17, Parton partnered up on the 21 other songs with a number of their original performers, including Sting (“Every Breath You Take”), Heart’s Ann Wilson (“Magic Man”), John Fogerty (“Long As I Can See the Light”), Peter Frampton (“Baby, I Love Your Way”), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (“I Hate Myself For Loving You”) and goddaughter Miley Cyrus (“Wrecking Ball”).

Upon the album’s release, Parton wrote a thank you note to her fans for following her down her latest creative path. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the Rockstar album and I can’t tell you how happy I am that it’s finally here to be released!” she said on Instagram. “I really had a wonderful time working with all these iconic artists on the record and all these iconic musicians. Not to mention all these great iconic songs that I think everybody will love hearing again. I just hope you enjoy my version of them!”

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox