Jack White’s ‘raucous’ tribute to Dolly Parton at London concert after death of ‘true icon’

Dolly Parton’s death was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver on Tuesday, who said sharing the news was ‘an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness’

Jack White paid a “raucous” tribute to “true country music icon” Dolly Parton following her death aged 80. White took to the stage for the first of his two performances at London’s Eventim Apollo on Tuesday night (August 25) just hours after Parton’s death was announced.

During the day White, a longtime admirer of Parton’s, posted a simple tribute on Instagram which read “Instant sainthood,” alongside a classic image of the country star. Then during his London gig he performed a cover of Jolene – a song he has not played live since 2007 in the White Stripes, according to setlist.fm – which one fan in attendance described as “raucous”.

In a clip shared on social media (which you can watch below), White can be seen rocking through the emotionally-charged song. At one point he looked away and pointed to the sky, before then clasping his hands as if he was saying a prayer of thanks for Parton.

The White Stripes released a cover of Jolene as the B-side to the single “Hello Operator” in 2000 before later making it a staple of their live sets. He reportedly had not performed it live during his solo career until Tuesday night.

The musician was best known for her genre-defining hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene. Last night the Empire State Building tower lights honoured the singer by turning the lights to a “pink sparkle” at 9.25pm.

Parton’s death was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver on Tuesday, who said sharing the news was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness”. In a video shared on Instagram, Mr Seaver added: “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.

“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.” Parton’s husband Carl Dean died last year.

Mr Seaver continued: “I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.

“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.

“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you.”

He added: “She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever.

“Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”

Mr Seaver ended his statement, saying, “Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”

In May, the country star pulled out of a highly anticipated Las Vegas residency, which was due to begin in September. She had already postponed her six-date run at The Colosseum Theatre at Caesars Palace from December 2025 to deal with “health challenges”.

In a video message at the time, she said she had been “responding really well to meds and treatments” and “improving every day”, citing a long-time struggle with kidney stones. She added: “I’ve still got some healing to do, but I am on my way!”

At Parton’s request, a small, private funeral service will be held for immediate family, the statement on social media said.

“Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com.” In lieu of flowers, her family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.

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