Within hours of news of Dolly Parton’s passing, Jack White paid tribute with a performance of “Jolene” during his concert in London on Tuesday night. In the video, which White shared on Instagram and is streaming below, the Detroit rocker leads his band through an electrifying rendition of the song. At the end of the performance, a visibly emotionally White points to the sky and makes the sign of the cross. Per Setlist.fm, it was the first time White has covered the song since 2007.
White’s old band The White Stripes frequently covered “Jolene” in concert, and the band’s rendition was also released as the B-side to their single “Hello Operator.” Parton called the band’s cover “one of the greatest versions ever of ‘Jolene.'”
“Instant Sainthood,” White wrote of Parton in an Instagram post following her death. A separate statement from his label, Third Man Records, further praised Parton’s impact: “Dolly’s legacy goes far beyond the music. For decades, she’s used her voice, her success, and her heart to make a difference. From the Imagination Library putting millions of books into children’s hands to supporting education, literacy, disaster relief, and communities in need. An incredible artist, philanthropist, advocate, and human being. Thank you, Dolly, for a lifetime of giving back and making the world a little brighter. Rest in peace.”
Parton passed away Tuesday at the age of 80. In the hours since then, tributes have poured in from all across the entertainment industry honoring the late music icon. Also revisit our cover story that saw Hayley Williams interview Parton, look at her incredible charity work, and see our guide to her biggest movie and TV roles.
