Dolly Parton went all in while recruiting rock 'n' roll legends to collaborate with her on the new album Rockstar. She went as far as to successfully land the two living Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, for a cover of "Let It Be." Per a Parton interview with NPR, it all started with a "love note."
"So I just sent them a love note through their managers, and I just said what I was doing. And I said, 'I didn't want to put you on the spot, but I'd love to have you sing with me on my rock album. And if you're interested, call me at this number'," Parton said. "And all the people I reached out to said, 'Yes, we'd love to,' and I was very honored and very proud and very humbled by that."
Parton didn't stop at landing two Beatles for "Let It Be." Fleetwood Mac namesake Mick Fleetwood plays drums, while former George Harrison collaborator and current Nashville resident Peter Frampton shreds on guitar.
"Well, does it get any better than singing 'Let It Be' with Paul McCartney who wrote the song? Not only that, he played piano!," Parton told NPR. "Well, it did get even better when Ringo Starr joined in on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood playing percussion. I mean, seriously, how much better does it get? Thanks guys!"
Parton made a covers-heavy rock album for a couple of reasons. One, she wanted to commemorate her induction into the Rock Hall. Two, the whole project is a love letter of sorts for Parton's husband, Carl Dean.
"I'm doing the rock 'n' roll album because of him," she said. "I had often thought about doing a rock 'n' roll album for him with his favorite songs. And so when this all came about, I decided that I am gonna go ahead and do it. ... It was just the perfect storm. OK, it's time."
