Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is one of the most iconic figures in country and pop music, known for her extraordinary career as a singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur.

Dolly, the blonde and exuberant Dolly, is the embodiment of that "art of escape" that every woman born into disadvantaged conditions should learn to cultivate from the earliest age. That's exactly what the artist behind "Coat Of Many Colors" (1971) and "Jolene" (1974), two of her most famous albums, did: from girlhood on, despite everything and everyone, she always cultivated, without compromise, her desire to be herself, giving her body and her femininity an importance that the people of her hometown simply couldn't understand, and which they in fact harshly criticized.

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946 in Sevierville, Tennessee, the fourth of 12 siblings. From childhood she showed an innate talent for music, performing in church and on local radio. After moving to Nashville in 1964, she began writing songs for other artists before launching her solo career. She made her debut at the legendary Grand Ole Opry at the tender age of 12 and found success alongside country singer Porter Wagoner. With him she recorded a string of hits before going solo in 1974 with the album "Jolene", kicking off a career that wouldn't confine itself to Nashville country but would often venture into pop and rock territory.

Her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly" (1967), contained hits such as "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy", marking the start of a long string of triumphs. In the Seventies she established herself as one of the most important country singers thanks to albums such as "Coat Of Many Colors" (1971), "Jolene" (1974) and "New Harvest... First Gathering" (1977).

In the late Seventies, Parton began moving toward a more pop-oriented sound, achieving huge success with "Here You Come Again" (1977), which marked her first entry into the mainstream charts. In the Eighties she cemented her superstar status with hits such as "9 To 5" (1980), the theme song of the film of the same name in which she starred, and "Islands In The Stream" (1983), a famous duet with Kenny Rogers.

Beyond music, Dolly Parton has also had a successful film career, appearing in movies such as "9 To 5" (1980), "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982) and "Steel Magnolias" (1989). She has also built a genuine business empire, founding the Dollywood theme park in 1986 and launching numerous charitable initiatives, including the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children.

In the 90s and 2000s, Parton continued to release successful albums, including "The Grass Is Blue" (1999), "Little Sparrow" (2001) and "Blue Smoke" (2014). She has received countless awards, including Grammy Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors. In 2022 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a testament to her influence reaching far beyond country music.

With a career spanning over six decades, Dolly Parton can rightfully be considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Her impact goes well beyond music: she is a symbol of resilience, generosity and independence. And to this day she continues to inspire new generations with her energy, her talent and her indomitable spirit.