At Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Performance, Dolly Parton Sings ‘I Will Always Love You’ in Tribute
During Kenny Rogers’ final farewell concert in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2017, Dolly Parton delivered a moving rendition of her iconic song I Will Always Love You, marking the culmination of Rogers’ illustrious career. Rogers, who left us on March 20, 2020, at 81, had formed a profound bond with Parton since their hit duet Islands in the Stream in the 1980s, leading to a friendship that lasted until his last performance.
At the 2017 event, which also featured performances by Reba McEntire, Lady Antebellum, and Lionel Richie, Parton joined Rogers on stage hours into the concert. In a memorable moment before a packed Bridgestone Arena, Parton dedicated the song to Rogers, expressing a deep and enduring connection, as reported by People.
The evening couldn’t conclude without the duo revisiting the song that first brought them together, Islands in the Stream. In what became Rogers’ final public appearance, the pair delivered a rendition of their famous duet, ending the night and Rogers’ 60-year career with a symbolic mic drop, leaving a lasting legacy in country music.
Following Rogers’ passing, Parton shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing her love and the deep loss felt by his friends, family, and fans, underscoring the sentiment of their last performance together with the poignant line from her song.
