Singer Harry Styles paid tribute to country music star Dolly Parton during his residency concert at Madison Square Garden in New York after the legendary artist died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
The 32-year-old performer sang Parton's classic hit song I Will Always Love You during the opening show of his Together, Together tour residency.
Addressing the audience before performing the track, Styles expressed his gratitude to the musicians who had inspired him over the years. He told the crowd that he had a few more songs left to perform, but wanted to offer his heartfelt thanks to those artists, adding that he loved Parton and thanking her directly.
Parton originally wrote and recorded I Will Always Love You in 1973. The track later achieved global commercial success when Whitney Houston performed her cover version for the soundtrack of the film The Bodyguard in 1992.
Dolly Parton funeral plans and tributes
Parton, whose career as a country singer, songwriter, and actress spanned nearly six decades, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
A social media statement released by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed her death and noted that a small, private service will be held for immediate family members.
The family encouraged fans and friends to share tributes on social media or leave condolence messages on Parton's official website. In place of floral arrangements, her family requested that memorial donations be directed to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Career milestones and musical legacy
Rising from humble beginnings in rural Tennessee, Parton became one of the most successful crossover artists in American music history, smoothly transitioning from country to pop charts while establishing a reputation for widespread philanthropy.
Throughout her career, she released 49 studio albums and earned 11 Grammy Awards. Among her numerous hit records was Islands in the Stream, a famous 1983 crossover duet recorded with Kenny Rogers.
Her charitable organization, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, has distributed millions of free books to young children worldwide since its founding in 1995, reflecting her long-standing commitment to childhood literacy.
