Dolly Parton has revealed how she was in a position to make use of the voice of late Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant in her cowl of the band’s “Free Bird.” Parton’s rendition of the basic observe is featured on her upcoming album Rockstar. In a dialog with Hits Daily Double, the enduring nation singer defined how she was in a position to make use of Van Zant’s vocals in her cowl.
“That song really has a history to it. We lost a couple of the guys right after I recorded it,” Parton recalled, alluding to guitarist Gary Rossington, who died in March. “Then Ronnie Van Zant’s widow allowed us to use his voice on our record.”
Van Zant died in 1977, one of many victims of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s aircraft crash. His brother, Johnny, has been Skynyrd’s singer ever because the band regrouped in 1987. Getting to make use of the unique “Free Bird” vocals was particularly vital to Parton.
“[Ronnie Van Zant’s widow] allowed that, and I was so happy we got to use his real voice. They just dropped it in the way they manipulate those things now. It made it so special,” the singer explained. “I get chills every time I hear it. I’d already sung my version, and I didn’t know his voice enough, but then our phrasing turned out to be almost just exact when we were singing on the song! That’s such a classic. And it just goes on forever; lord, it’s a 10-minute song! At least five or six minutes is guitar. I remember getting so lost in the music, just singing wherever I felt it.”
Rockstar might be launched on Nov. 17. In addition to the Lynyrd Skynyrd cowl, the album options Parton collaborating with a number of the largest names in rock. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Steve Perry, Ann Wilson, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Elton John and Joan Jett are among the many collaborators.
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