It’s been a long week for pop culture fans – hence the break in my blogging series to today instead of the usual Friday edition: especially with the abundance of festivals that have taken place over this August bank holiday! All being said, I hope that you’ve all enjoyed the long break and are ready for a lengthy recap spanning the last week and a half.
A Note to Precede this Blog
Today’s blog will primarily focus on the lives of pop culture icons Dolly Parton and Tim Curry who sadly passed away last week, both aged 80. The last week has been a heartwarming demonstration of people banding together from all corners of the internet to celebrate the two pioneers in their respective industries.
Both Parton and Curry used their platforms and performances to preach equality, inclusivity, and charity, so it is with great dismay that we have experienced the loss of two role-model celebrities, and within such a short period.
As avid pop culture fans here at Devote, the departure of these two icons has surely left a void in our music-and-film-loving hearts, so this blog is dedicated to remembering what good they brought us whilst they were still here, and what legacies they have graced us with going forward.
Remembering Dolly Parton
Announced across her social media pages by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a pre-recorded video message, it was revealed that Dolly Parton had sadly passed away last Tuesday, August 25th, later confirmed as “following a brief battle with cancer”.
Dolly Parton is indisputably one of the biggest country icons, if not the biggest, of all time – with her breakthrough hits ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Jolene’ especially paving the way for decades of country music influence. Not only this, but Parton also branched into many other genres, including rock, where she wrote her 2023 album Rockstar following her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, achieving number three on the Billboard Album Chart – an unimaginable feat for an artist once defined by her sole country capabilities.
Rockstar marked her last album, being her 49th, alongside the 3,000+ songs she had written throughout her astounding career – an unfathomable milestone for any artist. But what is even more remarkable was Parton’s devotion to charity whilst being so preoccupied with creating new material – and through so many aspects as well.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a charity fully funded by Dolly Parton herself, funding over three million children across Australia, Canada, USA, UK, and Ireland for over 31 years, to deliver free books to children from birth until age five. Whilst the charity has been active, Imagination Library has donated over 300 million books to children to increase literacy and encourage mindful reading from a young age. Additionally, Parton notably donated over $1 million to the Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville to help fund the Moderna vaccine, enabling more people to become protected against the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.
And that isn’t where Parton’s legacy ends at all – with one last unreleased song locked away until 2046, to be revealed to the world on what would have been her 100th birthday, never heard by anyone but the Queen of Country Music herself.
Although it may seem morbid, Dolly Parton’s death has really highlighted the good that Dolly brought into our world that is unparalleled by any other iconic pioneer of her time, let alone now. Her philanthropy will undoubtedly continue to grace us as her children’s charity continues to operate, alongside the long-term longevity of the ability for more people to become vaccinated from Covid-19.
Dolly Parton was not just solely defined by her country singalongs, but she was more than that – a woman who cared about others more than herself, and that’s what makes it even harsher for us to have lost such a figure in pop culture who benefitted us all for the better.
Post courtesy of @dollyparton on Instagram
Remembering Tim Curry
Just a day after Dolly Parton’s announcement of her passing, Tim Curry was also reported to have died at age 80, also last Tuesday, August 25th, with no cause of death specifically provided. Rather, sources stated that it was a combination of the multitude of serious health issues he had been experiencing as of recent years.
Tim Curry was a pioneer in the world of cinema and theatre, with his biggest roles including his performance of Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 film adaptation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and as Pennywise in the original IT (1990).
Perhaps his role as Frank-N-Furter was greatly reflective of Tim Curry’s personality and influence in not just theatre, but throughout the world. Curry adopted a character defined by his ‘Transvestite’ appearance, shining light on the shunned upon LGBTQ+ lifestyle in the 1970s. His electrifying performance in Rocky Horror transformed gay life into a celebration – through the film’s campness and musicality being proclaimed to the mainstream eventually leading to it becoming the longest-running theatrical release in cinema history, from its initial flop in the box office. Rocky Horror celebrated its 50th anniversary last year as well, where the film once again skyrocketed its box office success with a theatrical re-release, cementing its position amongst its cult-like fanbase of both LGBTQ+ watchers and allies, as a reminder of the impact of Curry’s unforgettable performance.
“There will only be one ‘Tim Curry’” - Fellow Rocky Horror star Luke Evans
Furthermore, Curry had a major role in the HIV/AIDs crisis as a constant activist throughout the turmoil of the 1980s. Curry frequently used his platform to raise funds and awareness for those affected by, and with the potential to be affected by, AIDs and HIV.
It is without a doubt that Tim Curry not only blessed our screens through incredible entertainment, but that he fought for justice and equality amongst those struggling, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. His role as Frank-N-Furter will never be forgotten, and his legacy within theatre will continue to prevail even after the dismay of his recent passing.
Post courtesy of @officialtimcurry on Instagram
The Roles of the Internet in Celebrating their Legacies
The commemoration of both Dolly Parton and Tim Curry has been widespread on the internet, and even in some unconventional ways. The aforementioned abundance of music festivals equally partook in celebrating Parton and Curry, notably with Olivia Rodrigo’s highly anticipated Daisy Chain Fields taking place on the weekend.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival featured an all-woman line up, jam-packed with today’s biggest female singers: from artists such as Chapell Roan and Doechii, to surprise performances from Stevie Nicks and Alanis Morisette.
The aim of the festival was the raise money for female-based charities, and for charities directly benefitting women, across the world. Rodrigo announced that she had raised $10 million to donate to these charities, which was doubled to $20 million by philanthropist Melinda French Gates.
During the festival, Rodrigo made sure to acknowledge all that Dolly Parton had brought whilst she was still alive, honouring her by performing ‘Angel’ with Sarah McLachlan in tribute.
Additionally, Parton has been remembered on TikTok through the popping up of a micro-trend of people attempting to create her ‘Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa’ cake from the 1980s film Steel Magnolias. Whereas radio stations have exponentially increased the airplay of her hit ‘9 to 5’, with 799 spins across 135 stations in the last week, according to Billboard.
On the other hand, Tim Curry fans have been advocating for an honorary re-run of Rocky Horror across UK cinemas, which is highly likely to occur.
In less delightful news, Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star has recently been vandalised following her passing – and it has been reported that, despite efforts to restore it, her star will be fully replaced due to its condition.
Whenever a major pop culture icon passes, it is without a doubt that the internet will find some way to honour their legacy, but this week has really shown the devastation the passing of two pioneers has really caused across the internet.
Post courtesy of @billboard and @billboardcountry on Instagram
In other pop culture news...
- Fontaines DC return with a newly announced album and upcoming tour after their headlining spot at Reading and Leeds festival
- Reading and Leeds Festivals concluded on Monday, featuring the abandonment of the new ‘Warehouse’ stage due to safety concerns, a surprise set from Lola Young, and rumours about Sombr headlining the O2 arena (which have now been confirmed)
It has certainly been a long week and a half packed with pop-culture updates, but as you can see it was definitely necessary for me to have had a break to honour the departure of these iconic figures: join me next time for further updates on the pop culture scene.
Blog cover courtesy of Dolly Parton / Butterfly Records and Tim Curry / The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
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