Peter Frampton Reveals How He Made It on Dolly Parton’s Rock Album

Dolly Parton is gearing up to release her highly anticipated rock album, Rockstar. The whopping 30-song tracklist will feature some of the biggest names in rock and roll, including Peter Frampton. 

The legendary guitarist scored two tracks on the star-studded record. The two will come together on “Baby, I Love Your Way,” featured on his 1976 album, Frampton Comes Alive! The esteemed instrumentalist and award-winning vocalist will also appear on the Beatles’ “Let It Be” alongside Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Mick Fleetwood. Frampton will be playing the recognizable guitar solo on the rendition. 

Frampton recently spoke with UCR about the forthcoming record and joining forces with the genre-bending legend. 

“I’m very honored and pleased to be on her album,” he told the outlet.

Frampton said he initiated the collaboration and had his people call Parton’s people. Being a part of the rock-inspired collection was a no-brainer. 

“I was with a friend who had finished doing some backgrounds for the vocal on the Steven Tyler duet [‘I Want You Back’], and I said, ‘That’s right, she’s doing that rock album,’” he pointed out. “So I came home, I called my manager, I said, ‘I heard that Dolly’s doing this album right now. I’d love to do a guitar solo.’ He said, ‘Oh, I know Dolly.’ The next thing I know I’m on the telephone with Dolly’s producer, Kent Wells. 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!.’” 

In less than ten minutes, Frampton received a phone call back confirming the partnership. He believes Parton brings his track “Baby, I Love Your Way” to a “whole other level.” The original single peaked at No.12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart upon release and graced the Top 3 in Canada. 

Although the artist scored a duet, he still wanted to play guitar on the collection. So, he pitched himself once again. When presented with the offer to tackle the legendary guitar solo on “Let It Be,” he clarified that he would place his signature spin on the instrumental verse. 

“He goes, ‘OK … Would you like to do the solo on ‘Let It Be?’ So I said, ‘Don’t tell me.’ He says, ‘Uh-hum. Paul’s singing, Ringo’s playing drums, Mick Fleetwood’s on tambourine.’ “Oh. My. God!’ He said, ‘You want to do the solo?’ I said, ‘Uh-huh.’ So I did the solo, and I’m over the moon about that,” Frampton shared. “I told Kent, ‘I’m not gonna do the George Harrison solo, or even the Paul McCartney one on the [alternate] take of it. I can’t do that. I’m gonna play Frampton.” 

Rockstar is scheduled to be released on Nov. 17 via Butterfly Records. Parton will share the leading single from the collection at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards live from Texas. 

Photo by Austin Lord / Sacks & Co.