Dolly Parton’s death was announced on August 25. The news has sparked an outpouring of love as fans, family, and celebrities pay tribute to the late country music icon. But in 2012, the world lost another music industry great, Whitney Houston, and Parton was deeply impacted by her passing.
Dolly Parton Recalls Emotional Moment at Whitney Houston’s Funeral
Houston died on February 11, 2012, at age 48. At her funeral, a performance of “I Will Always Love You,” the song Parton wrote in 1972, played as her coffin was being carried away. Houston had famously covered the song for the 1992 film, “The Bodyguard,” in which she starred alongside Kevin Costner.
That moment left Parton emotional, which she discussed in a 2012 interview with ABC’s Nightline, People reports. “[It] just shattered me to hear that song played under those conditions,” Parton said. “I thought my heart was gonna stop. It just pierced me like a knife. It’s just — I can’t explain that feeling, to think that that was so final for her, and that that was my words and my feeling — I would forever be so connected to her.”
Houston’s version of the hit song, with help from Kevin Costner and David Foster, was a more modern, pop interpretation of Parton’s country hit. It was equally as beautiful, and Parton was proud of what they did with it. The first time the “9 to 5” singer heard it was on the radio. She recalled how different the new version of “I Will Always Love You” was.
Parton was left feeling overwhelmed with emotion. “All of a sudden I hear this acapella sound, I just hear this, ‘If I should stay,’ and it didn’t register, and I thought, ‘What is that?’” Parton said. “And just still just kind of- ‘That’s my song,’ but it still didn’t register it was Whitney, because it was just this solo voice, and then all of a sudden it went into the ‘I will always love you,’ and I thought I was gonna wreck. It just overwhelmed me.”
Remembering Beloved Country Music Icon Dolly Parton
Parton died from cancer, which she battled in private. She was 80 when she passed. Her nephew Bryan Seaver released a video statement informing fans of her death. In a touching tribute on behalf of the family, Seaver remembered Parton and the beautiful life she lived.
“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,” Seaver said.
He continued, “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.”
Seaver’s tribute is one of many pouring in. Among the celebrity tributes are ones from Miley Cyrus, Noah Cyrus, Celine Dion, Rita Wilson, Sharon Osbourne, Jamie Foxx, Kate Hudson, and Goldie Hawn.
