James Matthews’ report from where her story began below – and scroll to catch up on tributes to her. Legendary country singer Dolly Parton dies aged 80 – American country singer Dolly Parton, known for smash hits like Jolene and 9 to 5, died at the age of 80, her family has announced on Instagram. (Photo: Dolly Parton, RIP).

Parton ‘anonymously funded music at high schools for decades’ – Dolly Parton’s charitable work was well documented, most notably with her non-profit organisation The Dollywood Foundation. But it appears some of her support was given out of the public eye. Senior Democrat official Donna Brazile said the singer “spent decades quietly funding band uniforms and instruments at Black high schools across the South – never once putting her name on it.” “No headlines, no fanfare – just help, given because it was needed,” she added.

Parton’s life story ‘taken straight from a novel’, journalist says – It’s hard to believe all the details of Dolly Parton’s life were real, as they sound like a fictional written story, a music journalist has said. Paul Stokes said the singer had a “real sense of authenticity” – even telling stories about what she’d cooked for breakfast – when he interviewed her 10 years ago.

“If you consider the story, I think if you were writing a book and you were going to write about a country singer who came from the mountains, and you set it in a one-bedroom cabin with 12 siblings, people would say ‘That’s a little fanciful’. But that was her life.” Parton’s unique upbringing was “perfect” if you wanted to create a country music icon, Stokes said.

Dolly Parton’s theme park to remain open on Wednesday – A popular theme park created by Dolly Parton will remain open today after her passing. Dollywood, which has more than 50 rides and entertainment areas, is located in the singer’s childhood home in the Great Smoky Mountains, in the resort city of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

It was rebranded to its current name in 1986 after Parton became co-owner. Dollywood Parks & Resorts said in a statement on its website: “Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic – an inspiration to people everywhere.  “In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle – ‘the show must go on.’ Together, we honour her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.”

Dollywood Company president Eugene Naughton said the “greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life” at the park. Parton an ‘absolute giant’ of the music industry. The universal themes of love, family, and resilience shone through across Dolly Parton’s stellar career, according to our arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer.

With thousands of songs and almost 50 studio albums, it’s hard to match the singer’s cultural impact and respect from her peers, Spencer added. “The key of the success to her writing was the fact that it spoke to people because it was so human.” There will never be another Dolly, says Kiss frontman. Dolly Parton’s death has touched all corners of the US music industry, from her own country genre to heavy metal rock.

Gene Simmons, the frontman of legendary band Kiss, expressed his sadness at her passing. “She was a sweet and kind soul, and I’m proud to say I knew her. And I witnessed she always took time to stop and greet anyone around her,” he posted on X. “There will never be another Dolly.” In pictures: Vigil held on Hollywood Walk of Fame. A large group of fans has gathered at Dolly Parton’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

Signs, pictures, candles and flowers were laid over the star to pay tribute to the singer, while some of those gathering also gave renditions of her songs. Parton received her star in 1984 for contributions to the recording industry. ‘An American original’: Former US president Biden pays tribute. Joe Biden is the latest major US political figure to pay tribute in the last few hours. “Simply put, Dolly Parton was an American original. She was an inspiration to millions,” the former president posted on X. He said the singer was “a relentless advocate” for women and for equality and praised her charity work of providing books to children around the world.

“She lived her values with a flair and vitality for life that was uniquely her own,” Biden added, describing her as “a trailblazer in every sense of the word”. Flags lowered to half-mast in Nashville and New York as landmarks lit up in pink. Pictures overnight show the US flag flying at half-mast outside the Nashville Metropolitan Courthouse in Tennessee. The court, along with famous national landmarks including the Empire State Building in New York, was also illuminated in the colour pink.

Donald Trump said last night all flags across the country would be lowered for one week to mark Dolly Parton’s passing. ‘The world feels less sparkly all of a sudden’ – More of country music’s biggest names have paid their respects to Parton on social media. Kacey Musgraves posted three times on X, including to say: “The world feels less sparkly all of a sudden.”

Shania Twain posted a video on Instagram of the two singing Coat Of Many Colours, saying:  “Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher, and hero of grace and humility. There is a hole in my heart, but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live”. And the family of Parton’s friend and long-time collaborator Kenny Rogers, who died in 2020, said:

“When the two of you sang about being islands in the stream who together had found peace unknown, having real love for each other as true friends who would always stand by each other, and how you just can’t make old friends, it was always as genuine as it could be…coming straight from the heart and reflecting what you both felt for each other.”

Coincidentally, Parton’s last Instagram post she uploaded before her death was a video of them singing Islands in the Stream on what was the 43rd anniversary of the song’s release. Taylor Swift: This doesn’t feel possible, real or right. Taylor Swift has become the latest voice in music to pay tribute to Dolly Parton, saying a world without the country icon “doesn’t feel possible, real, or right”.

In a statement to People, the pop singer, who started her career in country music, continued that Parton’s legacy will be an “everlasting one” because of the “eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better”. She said Parton was “someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals”.

“She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others and a backbone of steel to defend her own self-worth as an artist.” Celine Dion and Billy Joel honour music ‘legend’

Celine Dion has paid tribute to Dolly Parton on Instagram, describing her as “pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit”. “We will now be missing one of the most joyful voices this world has ever known,” the singer added in her post. Billy Joel, who described himself as “one of the lucky ones whose music she covered”, posted a series of pictures of his family visiting Dollywood last year.

“Our children looked up to her and knew her music. The love for Dolly spanned generations,” the Piano Man wrote.  “Her work in acknowledging endometriosis before most people knew what it was, and her philanthropic efforts have been inspirational to our family and our foundation.” Tributes continue to come in for ‘bright, shining star’ Parton

More tributes are starting to come in to remember Dolly Parton across entertainment and politics. Heavy metal band Motley Crue, who worked with Parton on a remix of their song Home Sweet Home, described working with her as “one of the true highlights of our career”, calling her a “bright, shining star who helped change the world for the better”.

Former US president Barack Obama paid tribute in an Instagram story, highlighting the country icon’s journey from her birth in a one-room cabin to earning 11 Grammys and an Emmy, building a business empire, helping children read and helping accelerate research into a COVID vaccine Actress Reese Witherspoon recalled how Parton helped with her role of June Carter Cash in Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line, explaining she “gave me the courage to put my whole spirit into that performance and made me see how lucky I was to be a storyteller”.

Witherspoon went on to receive Best Actress at that year’s Oscars. Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood described her energy as “personable” and said her “positive approach to life and the amazing songs she wrote is her legacy that will live on in a world that so needs healing”.

Courtesy: Sky News. Photos: Reuters, AP.