Proceeds will benefit Parton’s charity following internal controversy and the departure of guitarist AJ Rebollo.
Bad Wolves released a heavy metal cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” on August 31, less than a week after Parton died at age 80 on August 25. The track was originally recorded after new vocalist Sara “Killboy” Skinner shared videos of herself performing the song. After hearing the arrangement, Better Noise Music CEO Dan Waite forwarded it to Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell. Parton approved the track and planned to record guest vocals, with the band sending vocal stems to her team before her death.
Proceeds from the release will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to support childhood literacy, following a similar move by the band in 2018 when proceeds from their cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” were donated to Dolores O’Riordan’s family. However, the release caused internal conflict, leading guitarist AJ Rebollo to announce his departure from Bad Wolves on August 29 due to disagreements with the record label over releasing the song so quickly after Parton’s passing.
