In an interview with BBC Radio 2 to promote her new album "Rockstar," Dolly Parton recounted Elvis Presley's divorce from Priscilla, sharing that he had serenaded her with one of his songs as they parted ways.
The 77-year-old country artist opened up about the special moment.
The upcoming new album release from Dolly is a mashup of covers and originals, complete with collaborations from big names such as Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Sting, Pink, and Elton John.
"I Dreamed About Elvis," a song performed by Ronnie McDowell alongside special guests The Jordanaires, is an original track on Dolly Parton's new album.
In the interview that followed its release, Dolly was asked about longstanding rumors concerning her refusal to let Elvis cover her 1973 hit "I Will Always Love You."
Many years later, the powerhouse songstress Whitney Houston put out a successful cover of the tune for her movie, "The Bodyguard."
Dolly Parton described how Elvis Presley was so fond of the song that he sang it to Priscilla Presley when they left the courthouse after getting a divorce.
"I wouldn't let Colonel Tom Parker. See, Elvis loved the song. I talked to Priscilla not very long ago."
"She said, 'You know, Elvis sang that song to me when we were walking down the courthouse steps when we got divorced.'"
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Regarding why the planned cover by Elvis never came to fruition, Dolly recollected that Elvis absolutely adored the song and had already asked her to join him at the studio to witness a performance of it.
Unfortunately, Colonel Tom Parker called Dolly one evening and said no recording could occur unless they had control of all or half of the publishing.
"Well, I said, because I had a number one song on it, I said, 'This is the most important copyright in my whole publishing company, and I can't do that.'" Dolly described how the planned recording fell apart as Colonel Tom wouldn't go ahead and how she was left "heartbroken" as she had always wanted Elvis to sing it.
The famous couple, Elvis and Priscilla Presley met when he was 24 and she was 14.
A lengthy courtship ensued before they finally wed after seven-and-a-half years of dating. One daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born to the couple before their separation in February 1972.
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