Watch: Jack White pays tribute to Dolly Parton with rendition of ‘Jolene’

Jack White paid tribute to Dolly Parton at his London show Tuesday night by performing a rendition of ‘Jolene’.

He took the stage at the Eventim Apollo shortly after the news of the country star’s death, aged 80.

White later shared a video of the cover on his Instagram page. At the end of the clip, he points to the sky and makes the sign of the cross.

The performance marked the first time the musician had played his version of the song since 2007. The White Stripes, his former band, frequently showcased it in concert and included their rendition as the B-side to their 2000 single ‘Hello Operator’.

In 2016, Parton told The Guardian she considered The White Stripes’ take on her song “one of the greatest versions ever of ‘Jolene’.”

“I had a chance to have dinner with Jack in LA not long ago and we talked about the possibility of someday down the road that we may get together to do something,” she added. “I haven’t had time to sit down and really focus with someone else on an album. But he would be someone wonderful.”

Earlier, White shared an old black-and white photograph of Parton on his Instagram.

“Instant Sainthood,” he wrote in the caption.

 

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White’s music label, Third Man Records, also posted a joint tribute with The White Stripes on Instagram.

“For decades, she’s used her voice, her success and her heart to make a difference,” they wrote in the caption. “From the Imagination Library putting millions of books into children’s hands to supporting education, literacy, disaster relief and communities in need.”

“An incredible artist, philanthropist, advocate and human being,” they continued. “Thank you, Dolly, for a lifetime of giving back and making the world a little brighter. Rest in peace.”

Parton’s team has confirmed that the singer passed away following “a brief battle with cancer,” saying she was “surrounded by loved ones.”

Tributes to the star have poured in from the music world and beyond, from the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus (Parton’s goddaughter) and more.

Watch White's tribute cover below.

 

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A post shared by Jack White (@officialjackwhite)