Paul McCartney Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton, Calling Her a Magnificent Star

Paul McCartney has remembered Dolly Parton as a remarkable artist whose influence reached far beyond country music, praising her songwriting, voice, generosity, and business acumen following her death at 80.

In a tribute posted to Instagram, the former Beatle recalled meeting Parton decades ago and reflected on the honor of having her record one of his most enduring songs, the Beatles classic Let It Be.

McCartney Remembers Meeting Parton in the 1970s

McCartney accompanied his tribute with photographs from a trip to the Grand Ole Opry in the mid-1970s, when he and his family met Parton and her then-performing partner, Porter Wagoner.

Parton was already gaining attention alongside Wagoner at the time and was preparing to establish herself as a solo performer. McCartney remembered her as being “so bubbly and full of life.”

“The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad,” McCartney wrote.

He went on to praise the breadth of Parton’s career, saying her songwriting, singing, and philanthropy were unrivaled in country music. He also reflected on the difficulty of imagining a world without her presence.

McCartney highlighted another side of Parton’s legacy as well, describing her as a highly intelligent businesswoman who understood the value of music and, above all, the impact she could have on people around the world.

A Special Connection Through Let It Be

McCartney and Parton eventually worked together decades after their first meeting.

In 2023, Parton recorded a version of the Beatles’ Let It Be for her album Rockstar. McCartney contributed vocals and piano to the recording, while Ringo Starr played drums. Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood also appeared on the track.

For McCartney, taking part in the recording was especially meaningful because Let It Be was his song.

“There was no greater honor for me than to have her sing my song ‘Let It Be,'” he wrote. Although he described his own contribution to the recording as small, he said he was deeply honored that Parton chose to record the song.

He also expressed pride in having known her and admiration for what he called her unique talents.

McCartney ended his tribute with a simple farewell, thanking Parton for the music she had given him and the world.

“Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world,” he wrote. “We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best.”

Dolly Parton Dies at 80

Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the age of 80. Her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver.

At the time of the original tribute, an official cause of death had not been publicly detailed in the article’s account. Parton’s death followed several months of reported health difficulties. Her representatives later confirmed that she had died after a brief battle with cancer, although the type of cancer was not disclosed.

News of Parton’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from musicians and other admirers. Among those remembering the country icon were Kacey Musgraves, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Jack White, Sheryl Crow, and Maggie Rogers.

McCartney’s tribute offered a particularly personal perspective, connecting Parton’s extraordinary career with the decades-old memory of meeting her in Nashville and the later opportunity to hear her reinterpret a song that had been central to his own musical legacy.

Parton’s recording of Let It Be, released as part of Rockstar, brought together two generations of music history, with McCartney and Starr joining her on a Beatles song more than half a century after the band’s original recording.