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 FameCLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 14: Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi perfroms during the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Sting
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Singer/songwriter Sting performs onstage at the GRAMMY Museum on October 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Steve Perry
Michael Kovac/Getty ImagesPLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Musician Steve Perry attends the City Of Hope Spirit Of Life Gala Honoring Rob Light on September 19, 2013 in Playa Vista, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for City of Hope)
Ann Wilson and Howard Leese
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: (L-R) Inductees Howard Leese, Roger Fisher and Ann Wilson of Heart perform on stage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
John Fogerty
Craig Barritt/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: John Fogerty performs on stage during the 'Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Presents Collaborating For A Cure - 18th Annual Benefit Dinner & Auction' on November 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation)
Kid Rock
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMTNASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 07: Kid Rock speaks onstage during the 2017 CMT Music Awards at the Music City Center on June 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT)
Steven Tyler and Warren Haynes
Joe Scarnici, Jemal Countess/Getty ImagesStevie Nicks and Waddy Wachtel
Michael Kovac, Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesPeter Frampton
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMMANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 26: Peter Frampton performs onstage at the TEC Awards during the 2019 NAMM Show at the Hilton Anaheim on January 26, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Andrew H. Walker/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Musician Joan Jett performs at the 11th Annual Musicares Map Fund Benefit concert at Best Buy Theater on May 28, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Chris Stapleton
Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMTNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 09: Chris Stapleton performs onstage for the 2021 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 09, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT)
Miley Cyrus
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Dolly Parton (L) and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
P!nk and Brandi Carlile
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: P!nk and Brandi Carlile perform onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Kevin Cronin
Gary Gershoff/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 15: Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon performs onstage at the T.J. Martell 40th Anniversary NY Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)
Debbie Harry
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Woman's DayNEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Debbie Harry of Blondie performs onstage at the Woman's Day Celebrates 15th Annual Red Dress Awards on February 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Woman's Day)
Elton John
Erika Goldring/Getty ImagesNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 19: Elton John performs during the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour at Smoothie King Center on January 19, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Melissa Etheridge
Presley Ann/Getty Images for the Los Angeles LGBT CenterLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Melissa Etheridge performs onstage at Los Angeles LGBT Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary With "Hearts Of Gold" Concert & Multimedia Extravaganza at The Greek Theatre on September 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for the Los Angeles LGBT Center)
Lizzo
Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BETLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Lizzo performs onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET)
Rob Halford, Nikki Sixx and John 5
Ethan Miller, Jason Kempin, Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesSimon Le Bon
Noam Galai/Getty Images for dick clark productionsVARIOUS CITIES - DECEMBER 31: Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran performs onstage during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2023 on December 31, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for dick clark productions)
Linda Perry
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 06: Singer-songwriters Linda Perry and Dolly Parton attend the premiere of Netflix's "Dumplin'" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on December 6, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Sheryl Crow (L) and Emmylou Harris perform onstage during Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum All for the Hall Los Angeles at The Novo Theater at L.A. Live on September 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Neil Giraldo and Pat Benatar pose in the press room during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Michael McDonald
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Michael McDonald performs onstage during "Love Rocks NYC! A Change is Gonna Come: Celebrating Songs of Peace, Love and Hope" A Benefit Concert for God's Love We Deliver at Beacon Theatre on March 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Ronnie McDowell and The Jordanaires
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Recording Artist Ronnie McDowell (left) at, Loretta Lynn: A Tribute To An American Country Music Icon at The Loretta Lynn Ranch on September 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesCLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 18: Sir Paul McCartney (L) and inductee Ringo Starr perform onstage during the 30th Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 18, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for StagecoachINDIO, CA - APRIL 25: Musician Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd performs onstage during day 1 of 2014 Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
