Dolly Parton, the beloved country pop icon, is embarking on an exciting new project that will surely capture the attention of music enthusiasts young and old. She is planning to release a rock and roll album, and guess what? She wants to reunite the legends of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, to collaborate on a rendition of the timeless classic, “Stairway to Heaven”.
You may know Dolly Parton for her philanthropic efforts, such as giving away books and supporting COVID research, but now she’s ready to conquer the rock genre. Despite initially feeling hesitant about being nominated for induction into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly eventually accepted the honor, acknowledging her own potential as a “rock and roll” musician.
“I had always wanted to do it,” confessed Dolly in an interview with Pollstar. “My husband is a big hard rock ‘n’ roll fan, and for years I thought, ‘One of these days I’d like to do an album mainly just for him, just to kind of do it.’ When I got nominated, I thought, ‘Why not just go ahead and do it while the iron’s hot? Maybe have some of the greats, the legends of rock ‘n’ roll sing along with me.’”
Dolly’s ambitious plan includes enlisting the talents of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and Jimmy Page to collaborate on a re-recording of “Stairway to Heaven”. This iconic rock ballad holds a special place in the hearts of music lovers around the world. While the band officially disbanded in 1980 after the tragic passing of drummer John Bonham, Led Zeppelin’s surviving members did reunite for a memorable benefit concert in 2007. However, discussions about a full-scale reunion have since stalled.
“We’re 41 years into it now,” explained Plant in an interview with Mojo News in 2021. “The conversation doesn’t really go on now, because that spaceship has [departed].”
Nevertheless, Dolly Parton remains undeterred in her quest to create a remarkable musical experience. She plans to infuse her country-inspired bluegrass guitar style into this new rendition of “Stairway to Heaven”, giving it a unique and captivating twist. She hopes to entice Robert Plant and Jimmy Page to join her in the studio for this extraordinary collaboration.
“When I do the rock album, I’m going to actually re-record it – and do it more true to the regular record,” shared Dolly enthusiastically.
Apart from the Led Zeppelin reunion, Dolly intends to feature other legendary singers on her upcoming album. While she’s yet to confirm the names and songs, there’s no doubt that her choices will be met with great anticipation and excitement.
Dolly Parton’s audacious plan to reunite Led Zeppelin and release a rock album is a testament to her boundless creativity and love for music. Her determination to explore new genres and collaborate with legendary artists is sure to resonate with fans old and new. So, let’s stay tuned for this remarkable musical venture that promises to captivate our hearts and rock our souls!
