Just hours after news broke that Dolly Parton had died at 80, Jack White took the stage at London’s Eventim Apollo and delivered a poignant live tribute to the country music legend, performing her beloved classic “Jolene” for the crowd. White later shared a clip of the performance on Instagram, opening with the song’s instantly recognizable line, “Your beauty is beyond compare.” Earlier that day, the rock singer had also honored Parton on social media with a 1965 photograph of the icon sporting her signature beehive hairstyle, captioning it simply, “Instant Sainthood.”
Jack White’s Longstanding Connection to ‘Jolene’
White’s choice of song carried particular significance. His connection to “Jolene” goes back more than two decades, when The White Stripes — his rock duo with drummer Meg White — recorded their own version of Parton’s 1973 classic.
The White Stripes released their rendition as a B-side to “Hello Operator” in 2000 and later issued a live version as a single in 2004. While the cover did not chart in the United States, it became a notable success in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 1 on the UK Indie chart and No. 16 on the UK Singles chart in 2004.
For White, revisiting the song in London on the night of Parton’s death offered a fitting way to acknowledge an artist whose influence reached far beyond country music.
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The Legacy of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’
Originally released in 1973, “Jolene” became one of Parton’s defining songs. Her recording reached No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 while topping the Hot Country Songs chart in 1974.
The song has since been reinterpreted by artists across genres, underscoring its enduring influence.
Beyoncé incorporated a version of “Jolene” into her 2024 country album Cowboy Carter, adding new lyrics to her interpretation. The track reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Pentatonix also recorded the song with Parton herself, with their version reaching No. 18 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 2016.
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Parton’s Death at 80
Parton died Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Nashville at the age of 80. According to her representatives, the country icon had been facing a “brief battle with cancer.”
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video message shared through Parton’s social media accounts.
Parton leaves behind a seven-decade career spanning music, film, television and business. Her songs — including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5” — helped establish her as one of the most influential figures in country music and a songwriter whose work continued to inspire artists across generations.
White’s London performance of “Jolene,” coming only hours after her death, became one of the many musical tributes honoring Parton and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind.