Stevie Nicks wrote a moving memorial to her late friend and former collaborator Dolly Parton in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
The 78-year-old Fleetwood Mac singer reflected on the work she did with Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, on a song titled What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done For You from Parton’s 2023 Rockstar album.
“I spent a week with Dolly in Nashville recording one of my songs with her for her album ‘Rock Star,'” the Phoenix-born singer said, adding that it had been the “best week ever.”
Nicks said that ‘a week with Dolly was like a masterclass’ in music for her, as she wanted to ‘be a sponge’ and absorb her fellow icon’s knowledge ‘in a few days’.
She added: “It was easy to learn from her because she was a very good teacher. I think she saw me as a very good student; I was just trying to listen.”
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Nicks for further comment on the story.
Stevie Nicks, 78, wrote a moving memorial to her late friend and former collaborator Dolly Parton in an Instagram post on Wednesday, following Parton’s death at the age of 80.
Nicks said of Parton, “She said she could be a rock star ~ and I saw her do it.
“When I was there, she hadn’t even finished collecting more rock & roll songs to sing.”
Nicks shared a handwritten poem she wrote as a tribute to Parton after her death.
She wrote, “So, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly ~ Rock and Roll & Country ~ Carry all those songs with you ~ Straight up to the sky ~ Sing your songs to everyone you meet.
“This will be their blessing… Dolly, how we will miss you… There will never be another you ~ And I will always love you.”
She closed the letter with “Love Love Love, Stevie.”
Nicks’ post received a flood of reactions from fans and celebrities, as Sheryl Crow called Parton and Nicks her “two heroes” in the comments.
A post from the band Garbage called Parton and Nicks “Two of the best,” while Dita Von Teese thanked Nicks for her “personal tribute to Dolly.”
Nicks shared handwritten letters expressing her feelings following Parton’s death
Nicks’ post received a flood of reactions from fans and celebrities, as Sheryl Crow called Parton and Nicks her “two heroes” in the comments
After their collaboration, Nicks posted a photo of them together in the recording studio, which she put up to commemorate Parton’s birthday three years ago.
Parton pictured at The Fisher Center in Nashville in January 2025
After their collaboration, Nicks posted a photo of them together in the recording studio, which she put up to commemorate Parton’s birthday three years ago.
It read: ‘Congratulations to my new girlfriend @DollyParton! I had so much fun singing with you!’
In what would be her final album, titled Rockstar and released in November 2023, Parton mixed original songs with covers, some featuring the original artists.
They include covers of The Police’s Every Breath You Take in collaboration with Sting; Heart of Glass by Blondie in a duet with Debbie Harry; Heart’s Magic Man with singer Ann Wilson; and Don’t Let the Sun Set on Me with Elton John.
Parton’s reps released a somber statement amid the news of her death Tuesday, saying, “After enduring a brave battle with cancer, Dolly departed her earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
They noted that Parton “spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity to everything she touched,” while “her unparalleled generosity touched the lives of countless people she would never meet, yet she was always there to lend a helping hand.”
“Whether it is the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding the research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people has been the guiding force for her lasting impact.”
