Southsea Dolly Parton tribute act vows to 'keep her spirit alive' following news of beloved country singer's death
A performer said she burst into tears after learning of Dolly Parton’s death
A Dolly Parton tribute act has vowed to ‘keep her spirit alive’ as she expressed her heartbreak at the country music superstar’s death.
The death of the American singer-song writer was announced by her family on Tuesday, August 25, with her nephew, Bryan Seaver, saying it was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness” to share the news on Instagram.
He added: “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
The 80-year-old singer, who died after being diagnosed with cancer, was best known for her genre-defining hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene.
Thousands of people across the world have paid tribute to the star. Amongst those devastated by the news is Southsea-based Lallie Wadham, who plays Parton in the Diamond Dolly tribute act.
She said she was in the supermarket and burst into tears when she heard the news.
She continued: “Dolly will be remembered for so many things, she was a huge philanthropist, she was an ambassador for positivity and she had a great sense of humour and could laugh at herself.
“I think people want to see that, hear the jokes, hear about her life.”
The 47-year-old expects her next show to be “so emotional” and she said “it’s going to be hard work for me trying to keep it together onstage”.
The performer said she will “do my best to keep her spirit alive” as she continues her tribute act and that there is currently an “outpouring of grief, it’s going to be huge communal mourning.”