Dolly Parton, the celebrated country music icon, recently collaborated with former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to record “Let It Be” for her 2023 album, Rockstar. This event marked a historic convergence of music legends from Nashville and Liverpool. Parton revealed her approach to inviting the duo during an interview with NPR, explaining, “I just sent them a love note through their managers, and I just said what I was doing. I didn’t want to put you on the spot, but I’d love to have you sing with me on my rock album.”
Parton had already completed her version of the classic song when inspiration struck. After reaching out to McCartney, she was pleasantly surprised by his gracious response. Recognizing the importance of including Starr, she invited him as well. “I’d be glad to do it,” Starr replied, confirming his participation in this milestone recording.
The collaboration not only underscores Parton’s versatility as a musician but also highlights a long history with the Beatles. She had previously met both McCartney and Starr in separate encounters during the 1970s that were memorable for reasons beyond their musical legacy.
Memorable Encounters in the 1970s
On June 16, 1974, Parton met McCartney and his first wife, Linda McCartney, backstage at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple was in the city for a six-week stay, during which they recorded several singles with their band, Wings, including the hit “Junior’s Farm.” Their visit coincided with the Grand Masters Fiddling Contest, where they were invited backstage during an intermission to meet Parton and country star Porter Wagoner.
This meeting was particularly significant for Parton, as it occurred just a week after her final concert with Wagoner, marking the end of their professional partnership that began in 1967. Their split served as the inspiration for her renowned song “I Will Always Love You,” thanking Wagoner for his support throughout her early career.
A few years later, in the late 1970s, Parton encountered Starr through Ken Mansfield, the former U.S. manager of the Beatles’ Apple Records. Mansfield was instrumental in bridging the gap between Nashville artists and the rock scene in Los Angeles. During this time, Starr was living in Los Angeles and eager to meet Nashville’s rising stars.
Mansfield organized a dinner gathering that included Parton and Starr, neither of whom knew the other would be present. The evening was set to be intimate, but it took an unexpected turn when producer Stewart Levine arrived uninvited. Despite Mansfield’s efforts to keep the guest list small, Levine’s enthusiasm for meeting Parton led to a chaotic scene.
A Night to Remember
As Levine barged in, an argument erupted between him and Mansfield in the hallway, drawing the attention of Parton. When she recognized Levine, her reaction was both surprised and animated. “After a very pregnant pause, Dolly began to speak and in a stuttering, shaky voice asked Stewart if he was Stewart Levine, the famous producer,” Mansfield recounted in his memoir, *The White Book*.
Parton expressed her admiration for Levine, declaring that she never expected to be in the same room with him. “She then delivered the fatal blow by announcing that she was going to have to leave the room for fear that she would no longer be able to contain herself and might jump his bones right in front of everyone,” Mansfield recalled, adding a humorous touch to the otherwise intimate evening.
The atmosphere lightened when the group finally reconvened in the living room, where laughter ensued as they recounted the earlier confrontation. This unexpected twist added a layer of enjoyment to Parton’s second meeting with a Beatle, ensuring that the night would be remembered for more than just the celebrity encounter.
Through these experiences, Dolly Parton has not only made a lasting impact on country music but has also woven her narrative into the fabric of rock history. As she approaches her milestone birthday on January 19, 2024, her collaborations and encounters with legends continue to resonate, showcasing her enduring appeal and the camaraderie between different musical worlds.
