Peter Frampton Explains How He Ended Up on Two Tracks of Dolly Parton’s Rock Album
Peter Frampton has accomplished a pretty unique feat: He’s the only guest artist on Dolly Parton’s upcoming rock album — aptly titled Rockstar — that appears on two tracks. The…
Peter Frampton has accomplished a pretty unique feat: He's the only guest artist on Dolly Parton's upcoming rock album -- aptly titled Rockstar -- that appears on two tracks.
The guitarist explained to Ultimate Classic Rock in a new interview how he managed to pull this off. As it turns out, a friend of Frampton's did some backup vocals on "I Want You Back," Parton's duet with Steven Tyler. This led the guitarist to phone his manager, who knows the country icon, to see if he could do a solo on the album.
"The next thing I know I'm on the telephone with Dolly's producer, Kent Wells," said Frampton. "He said, 'I hear you want to do a guitar solo.' I said, 'Yes, I would love to do it.' He said, 'Is that all you want to do, a guitar solo?' I said, 'Well, I lowballed you with the guitar solo. I figured you had all your duets done.' He said, 'Well, would you ever think about doing one of your songs with Dolly?' I said, 'Let me think about ... yes!'"
Wells told Frampton he'd get back to him, and he wasn't kidding. Frampton says the producer called him back about ten minutes later saying Parton would love to record a cover of "Baby, I Love Your Way" with him. Obviously, he obliged and said Parton "takes it to a whole other level."
RELATED: Peter Frampton Was Close to Replacing Pete Townshend During a Who Tour
But Frampton wasn't done! He reaches back out to Wells saying that while he did an acoustic solo on "Baby, I Love Your Way," he was also keen to record an electric solo. It was then he found out Parton was covering The Beatles song "Let It Be," and she managed to get Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to sing and play drums on the cover. As if that weren't enough, Mick Fleetwood is on the track, too, playing tambourine.
Understandably, Frampton jumped at the chance to play an electric solo on that cover. He said he's "over the moon" about the solo, but stressed he doesn't just stick to the same solo George Harrison originally recorded.
" ... I'm gonna play Frampton," said the guitarist. "But I did play through a Leslie [organ cabinet], but I had it on slow, not fast like on the record. It's an interesting sound, and everyone seems to like it so far -- even though I've transgressed the unwritten law and changed a Beatle thing. But I'm pretty proud of it."
Rockstar comes out on November 17. The album is now available for pre-save on streaming platforms here. Meanwhile, fans can pre-order physical copies of the LP at DollyParton.com. There are over 35 guest appearances on Rockstar. Keep scrolling to see who else is appearing on the album!
Dolly Parton's rock album has been getting a lot of attention for many months now. Since the iconic singer/songwriter was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, she pledged to put out a rock LP.
Aptly titled Rockstar, the album will be released on November 17. Rockstar is now available for pre-save on streaming platforms here. Meanwhile, fans can pre-order physical copies of the album at DollyParton.com.
The album features a staggering 30 tracks, with nine original songs and 21 covers of some of rock's most iconic hits. Among the cover songs are Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird," The Rolling Stones's "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Beatles's "Let It Be," Prince's "Purple Rain" and more.
In a statement on the album, Parton said, in part, "I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure."
The list of guests on this LP really is just incredible. Some of the biggest names in rock history appear on this album. Keep scrolling to see who's all confirmed!
Here is the full tracklisting for Rockstar:
Richie Sambora
Kevin Kane/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of FameThe former Bon Jovi guitarist appears on the album's title track "Rockstar."
Sting
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesSting appears on a cover of The Police's "Every Breath You Take."
Steve Perry
Michael Kovac/Getty ImagesThe former Journey frontman was one of the first names confirmed for Parton's rock LP. She told Ultimate Classic Rock backstage after her Rock Hall induction that she and Perry were recording a duet version of the classic Journey power ballad "Open Arms." Perry shared in an April 12 Instagram post that the final mixes to the duet recording were being wrapped up.
Ann Wilson and Howard Leese
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesAnn Wilson and former Heart guitarist Howard Leese appear on a cover of the Heart classic "Magic Man."
John Fogerty
Craig Barritt/Getty ImagesJohn Fogerty appears on a cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit "Long As I Can See the Light."
Kid Rock
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMTKid Rock joins Parton on the original song "Either Or."
Steven Tyler and Warren Haynes
Joe Scarnici, Jemal Countess/Getty ImagesThe Aerosmith frontman and the Allman Brothers Band/Gov't Mule guitarist appear on the original track "I Want You Back."
Stevie Nicks and Waddy Wachtel
Michael Kovac, Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesParton confirmed Nicks' appearance on her rock album during a January 2023 appearance on 'The View.' Nicks and Parton are joined by guitarist Waddy Wachtel on the original song "What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You." When Nicks wished Parton a happy birthday on Instagram on January 19, she included a photo of them in a recording studio. The caption read, "Happy birthday to my new friend, Dolly! Had so much fun singing with you!"
Peter Frampton
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMMFrampton joins Parton on a cover of "Baby, I Love Your Way."
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Andrew H. Walker/Getty ImagesJoan Jett & the Blackhearts appears on Parton's rock album for a cover of "I Hate Myself For Loving You."
Chris Stapleton
Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMTStapleton joins Parton on a cover of Bob Seger's "Night Moves."
Miley Cyrus
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyCyrus, who is Parton's goddaughter, appears on the album. They collaborate on a cover of Cyrus's hit song "Wrecking Ball."
P!nk and Brandi Carlile
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameP!nk and Brandi Carlile join Parton on a cover of The Rolling Stones classic "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
Kevin Cronin
Gary Gershoff/Getty ImagesThe REO Speedwagon frontman, like Steve Perry, is recording a duet version of another iconic power ballad: "Keep On Loving You." Cronin referred to the recording as a "dark duet" in a February 2023 appearance on Yahoo's 'Totally '80s' podcast.
Debbie Harry
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Woman's DayDebbie Harry joins Parton on a cover of the Blondie hit "Heart of Glass."
Elton John
Erika Goldring/Getty ImagesSir Elton appears on Parton's rock album and collaborate on a cover of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me."
Melissa Etheridge
Presley Ann/Getty Images for the Los Angeles LGBT CenterMelissa Etheridge joins Parton on the original track "Tried To Rock And Roll Me."
Lizzo
Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BETLizzo is billed on a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" with Sasha Flute, which is the singer's playful name for her own flute.
Rob Halford, Nikki Sixx and John 5
Ethan Miller, Jason Kempin, Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesEasily the most hard rock/metal guests on Parton's album, the Judas Priest singer and Motley Crue bassist and touring guitarist appear on the original track "Bygones."
Simon Le Bon
Noam Galai/Getty Images for dick clark productionsThe Duran Duran singer joins Parton on the track "My Blue Tears." The song was featured on Parton's 1971 album 'Coat of Many Colors."
Linda Perry
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesPerry and Parton join forces on a duet cover of the 4 Non Blondes song "What's Up?"
Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumHarris and Crow join Parton on a cover of "You're No Good," which was popularized by Linda Ronstadt.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameBenatar and Giraldo appear on Parton's rock album on a cover of "Heartbreaker."
Michael McDonald
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesMcDonald joins Parton on the original track "Bittersweet"
Ronnie McDowell and The Jordanaires
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesRonnie McDowell and The Jordanaires join Parton on the original song "I Dreamed About Elvis." McDowell is best known for his 1977 hit song "The King Is Gone." The Jordanaires, of course, are renowned for providing background vocals on many of Elvis Presley's songs.
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesSir Paul and Sir Ringo join Parton on a cover of the Beatles hit "Let It Be." Also featured on the track is Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood.
Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for StagecoachClosing out Parton's album is the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Free Bird." The cover will feature the late Ronnie Van Zant's original vocal track accompanied by Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band.
