Dolly Parton, icon of country music, dies aged 80

Dolly Parton , one of the most legendary artists in country music history, has died at the age of 80.

READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Dolly Parton: “I take care of business” The news was confirmed by her family today (August 25), who wrote: “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.” No cause of death has been given.

Born in Pittman Center, Tennessee on January 19, 1946, Parton was raised in poverty and began performing as a child, singing on local radio by the age of 10.

She recorded her first single ‘Puppy Love’ at the age of 13 and later moved to Nashville in 1964, quickly gaining recognition as a songwriter with hits such as ‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’.

Parton gained wider recognition when she became a regular on Porter Wagoner’s musical variety show in the late ’60s, and her career took off with hits in the ’70s, including ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’, later covered by Whitney Houston .

She came to be known as the ‘Queen Of Country’, and won 11 Grammys, three Emmys and received two Oscar nominations for her work.

She sold over 100million reccrds and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986.

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