Johnathan Walker:Dolly Parton wanted Tina Turner for her new 'Rockstar' album: 'I had the perfect song'

Dolly Parton is Johnathan Walkerin her “Rockstar” era. 

A year after her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the ebullient country icon is releasing her first-ever rock album (out Nov. 17), a thrilling 30-song collection of classic covers and original tunes. As one of the most venerated figures in music, Parton, 77, managed to corral an all-star lineup of collaborations, singing with Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus and Sting. 

Sadly, she was not able to fulfill a dream collaboration with the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll herself, Tina Turner, who died in May at 83 after a long illness. 

In a recent interview with USA TODAY for her fashion-forward memoir “Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones” (out Oct. 17), Parton spoke about the hoped-for duet with Turner, as well as other collaborations on “Rockstar.” (And for more on “Behind the Seams,” check back for our full interview with Parton next month.) 

More:Dolly Parton has Elton John, Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks on upcoming rock album

Question: You mention in your book, “Behind the Seams,” that your Rock Hall induction outfit was actually inspired by Tina Turner.

Dolly Parton: Yeah, well, I love Tina Turner. In fact, I did not know she was ill – or as ill as she was – and I wanted her to sing on my rock ‘n’ roll album. Chris Lord-Alge, who mixed the album, knew her. He was going over there to do some business anyway where she lives, so he was going to take that to her. And he told me, “You know, she’s not in good health. I don’t think this is going to happen.” I was really sad about that, because I had the perfect song that we were going to do. I didn’t even put it on the album. It was a song I wrote called “Stay Out Of My Bedroom” (first recorded with Sylvester Stallone for 1984 movie "Rhinestone"). Maybe I’ll do it some other time with somebody else.

But I love Tina and that outfit I wore for the Rock & Roll acceptance speech. I was thinking of her the whole time. It felt like something that she would wear. I showed my legs, which are not nearly as beautiful as hers, nor as long. (Laughs.)

She recorded your song, “There’ll Always Be Music,” for her debut solo album (1974’s “Tina Turns the Country On!"). Do you recall how that came about?

I don’t, but I’m always complimented when anybody wants to do my songs. I don’t even remember what year that was, but it was long, long ago when I wrote that. “There will always be music ‘cause music is the voice of the soul” (Dolly sings). I was very proud of it at the time.  

Along with Tina, who have been your biggest rock ‘n’ roll fashion icons?

I get a kick out of all the people. I tried to go as far as I could without insulting anybody – or insulting myself. I like a lot of the looks that I’ve seen people do: the Joan Jetts and Pat Benatars. Steven Tyler sang on one of the songs on my album (“I Want You Back”). I kept thinking, “Now what will I wear to look like Steven Tyler?” And I felt, “Well, any number of things!” I’m just impressed with the liberties they all took with their clothes: the leathers and chains and piercings and stuff I wouldn’t dare do. I just tried to capture that look.

I loved your cover of the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" with Pink and Brandi Carlile. Your voices sound phenomenal together.

I’m so, so happy with that, and so were they! It’ll be a great thing for us to do someday at an awards show or something. Pink really went out of her way to help me out because she was in the middle of doing an album of her own ("Trustfall"). And of course, Brandi and I have been friends for a long time. I have the greatest love and respect for Brandi. I was so happy we were able to pull that off.

You sound incredible on "Purple Rain," too. It's obviously very daunting to follow Prince, but you really make it your own.

Well, I’ve always loved that song, as everybody does. I would always go around singing that all the time. So of course, when I pictured this album, I was like, “I’m going to do that, and I’m going to do it good.” I’ve always loved Prince. I really admired his writing, and I really identified with the way he dressed. He could be a little over-the-top and I’ve always done that, too. So I really related to him in a lot of ways, as silly as that sounds. And because we’re little people, we like to dress a certain way to hug our bodies – we like fitted clothes. That song, though, I thought was great. I love his music, but that one has always been my favorite.

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