Harry Styles honored the legendary Dolly Parton during his opening night at Madison Square Garden.
The former One Direction member, 32, kicked off his 30-date “Together, Together” residency at the famous arena on Wednesday, August 26, where he paid a special tribute to the country music icon. A video shared by PEOPLE showed Styles telling the crowd that Parton had “inspired” him.
“I wanna say a proper ‘Thank you’ to all the musicians over the years that’ve inspired me. Dolly, we love you, thank you so much,” Styles said on stage, prompting cheers from the audience.
After Styles finished speaking, Parton’s 1974 hit “I Will Always Love You” began playing. The “As It Was” singer didn’t sing along but encouraged the crowd to dance to the ballad.
Harry Styles Joins Musicians Honoring Dolly Parton
Styles is among the many musicians who paid tribute to Parton following her passing on Tuesday, August 25.
On Wednesday, John Mayer closed out his SiriusXM set at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett by performing “I Will Always Love You” on guitar before transitioning into his hit song “Gravity.”
Parton’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus penned an emotional message to her “Aunt Dolly” on Instagram.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private, and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” Cyrus wrote in part.
Rock singer Sheryl Crow also posted on Instagram, saying, “There is a hole in the universe. There was and will never be anyone like Dolly. I did not know her well, but I loved her like family… we all did. She was an incredible story teller musically and in real life.”
Pop superstar Beyoncé shared a heartfelt tribute to the country icon on her website, calling her “the barometer.”
“The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself,” Beyoncé wrote. “I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you.”
Taylor Swift also said in a statement, “A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right.” Swift and her husband, Travis Kelce, donated $2 million to Parton’s Imagination Library earlier this year.
Other musicians who honored Parton include Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Darlene Love, Shania Twain, Eminem, Pitbull, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacy Musgraves, and more.
Harry Styles’ Madison Square Garden Residency
Meanwhile, Styles is treating fans with a brand new setlist for his residency at Madison Square Garden, per Billboard. The singer kicked off his latest tour in Amsterdam in May, followed by London in June, and shows in Brazil and Mexico.
After New York, Styles will head to Australia for shows in Melbourne and Sydney. The new setlist includes “Are You Listening Yet?” “Golden,” “Adore You,” “Watermelon Sugar,” “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” “Taste Back,” “Coming Up Roses,” “Fine Line,” “Italian Girls,” “American Girls,” “Keep Driving,” “Ready Steady Go,” “Dance No More,” “Treat People With Kindness,” “Pop,” “Season 2 Weight Loss,” “Carla’s (Satellite) Song,” “Night Changes,” “Matilda,” “Sign of the Times,” and “As It Was”
