Watch Judas Priest's Rob Halford have the time of his life singing Jolene with Dolly Parton at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony

By Merlin Alderslade
( Classic Rock )
published

Who had Rob Halford duetting with Dolly Parton on their 2022 bingo card?!

Rob Halford and Dolly Parton
(Image credit: Getty)

Last night, November 5, the latest Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, celebrating some of the biggest and most influential legends to have graced music over the last six decades.

Hip hop heavyweight Eminem, country legend Dolly Parton, 80s new wave favourites Duran Duran, British pop duo Eurythmics, trailblazing rock singer Pat Benatar, smooth crooner Lionel Richie and singer-songwriter Carly Simon were all inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year. Meanwhile, British metal legends Judas Priest were honoured with the Musical Excellence award, performing a special three-song set with three guitarists and two drummers as they reunited with former guitarist K.K. Downing and ex-drummer Les Binks.

As it turns out, that wasn't the only chance Priest frontman Rob Halford got to sing on stage last night - he was also invited to duet Jolene with Dolly Parton! The beloved Tennessee icon brought out a small army of fellow legends to help her sing her most famous song, including Brandi Carlile, P!nk (who inducted Dolly into the Hall Of Fame), Simon Lebon of Duran Duran, Sheryl Crow, Annie Lennox of Eurythmics, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and Halford, who got to cuddle up with Dolly for part of the song's chorus.

Halford has previously admitted he is a huge fan of Dolly, pledging to take a photo with her at the ceremony earlier this year.

“I’m going to force her to, even if she doesn’t know who I am,” he told Metal Crypt back in June. “I’m going to see what table she is sitting at. I’m just going to run to the table and do the devil’s horns thing.

“Tongue out, horns up, behind Dolly Parton’s head," he added. "It’s the only way to do it. I can’t smile sweetly. I’ve got to stick my tongue out and my horns up.”

As it happens, no photo bomb was needed. Watch Halford et al sing Jolene with Dolly Parton below (skip to 2:00 in if you only want to watch The Metal God's part). Dolly Parton also played a brand new song, Rockin', composed especially for the ceremony.

Merlin Alderslade
Merlin Alderslade
Executive Editor, Louder

Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.