Dolly Parton shoots down hologram talk: ‘When I’m gone, I want to fly’

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When she’s dead and gone, Dolly Parton plans on staying gone.

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During a press event in London, the country music legend opened up on whether she’d like to see her work continue via artificial intelligence and hologram technology after her death and she said, “when I’m gone I want to fly with it.”

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“I think I’ve left a great body of work behind,” Parton said, via The Independent. “I have to decide how much of that high-tech stuff I want to be involved [with] because I don’t want to leave my soul here on this earth.”

But she added that she thinks her prolific output as a musician has been enough to ensure that her voice stays around for decades to come.

“I think with some of this stuff I’ll be grounded here forever,” she said. “I’ll be around, we’ll find ways to keep me here.”

The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was across the pond promoting her upcoming album Rockstar, which will debut on Nov. 17.

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“I’m excited to finally present my first rock and roll album Rockstar,” Parton said in a statement. “I am very honoured 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 joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together.”

The LP features collaborations with music legends such as Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, goddaughter Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and Pink.

Dead music stars like Whitney Houston and rapper Tupac Shakur have been digitally recreated, with the former’s estate launching a hologram tour in 2020.

A planned hologram tour featuring the late Amy Winehouse was also in the works before being cancelled in 2019.

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“In developing the type of highly ambitious, state-of-the-art hologram/augmented reality theatrical event that would truly capture [Winehouse’s] genius and incredible artistic and social contributions, we have encountered some unique challenges and sensitives,” show producers BASE Hologram said at the time.

Still, Swedish pop stars ABBA launched ABBA: Voyage in London, a successful hologram show in which the band participated via motion capture technology. “What you’re gonna see when you come to this show is us,” co-founder Benny Andersson said in 2021.

But Parton’s fans were quick to note that she doesn’t need technology to ensure her legacy continues.

“Her music, movies and social media presence will keep her spirit (and her soul) alive on earth for decades … even centuries after her death,” one person wrote on Reddit. “I very much doubt that AI or holograms will change that in the slightest.”

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“I think certain parts of her will still remain on this mortal coil for at least a hundred years after she passes,” another fan added.

One person remarked that Parton’s attitude to technology was “refreshing.”

“Dolly Parton is prioritizing living in the present rather than seeking immortality through AI,” they shared in a Twitter post. “Authenticity is truly valuable in a world that often prioritizes technological advancements.”

mdaniell@postmedia.com

Twitter: @markhdaniell

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When she’s dead and gone, Dolly Parton plans on staying gone.

Article content

During a press event in London, the country music legend opened up on whether she’d like to see her work continue via artificial intelligence and hologram technology after her death and she said, “when I’m gone I want to fly with it.”

Article content

“I think I’ve left a great body of work behind,” Parton said, via The Independent. “I have to decide how much of that high-tech stuff I want to be involved [with] because I don’t want to leave my soul here on this earth.”

But she added that she thinks her prolific output as a musician has been enough to ensure that her voice stays around for decades to come.

“I think with some of this stuff I’ll be grounded here forever,” she said. “I’ll be around, we’ll find ways to keep me here.”

The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was across the pond promoting her upcoming album Rockstar, which will debut on Nov. 17.

Article content

Article content

“I’m excited to finally present my first rock and roll album Rockstar,” Parton said in a statement. “I am very honoured 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 joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together.”

The LP features collaborations with music legends such as Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, goddaughter Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and Pink.

Dead music stars like Whitney Houston and rapper Tupac Shakur have been digitally recreated, with the former’s estate launching a hologram tour in 2020.

A planned hologram tour featuring the late Amy Winehouse was also in the works before being cancelled in 2019.

Article content

“In developing the type of highly ambitious, state-of-the-art hologram/augmented reality theatrical event that would truly capture [Winehouse’s] genius and incredible artistic and social contributions, we have encountered some unique challenges and sensitives,” show producers BASE Hologram said at the time.

Still, Swedish pop stars ABBA launched ABBA: Voyage in London, a successful hologram show in which the band participated via motion capture technology. “What you’re gonna see when you come to this show is us,” co-founder Benny Andersson said in 2021.

But Parton’s fans were quick to note that she doesn’t need technology to ensure her legacy continues.

“Her music, movies and social media presence will keep her spirit (and her soul) alive on earth for decades … even centuries after her death,” one person wrote on Reddit. “I very much doubt that AI or holograms will change that in the slightest.”

Article content

“I think certain parts of her will still remain on this mortal coil for at least a hundred years after she passes,” another fan added.

One person remarked that Parton’s attitude to technology was “refreshing.”

“Dolly Parton is prioritizing living in the present rather than seeking immortality through AI,” they shared in a Twitter post. “Authenticity is truly valuable in a world that often prioritizes technological advancements.”

mdaniell@postmedia.com

Twitter: @markhdaniell

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