Steve Perry, a former JOURNEY vocalist, discussed his cooperation with Dolly Parton in an interview with Classic Rock.
In order to commemorate her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton recently announced that she was recording a rock album. The album, tentatively named “Rock Star,” would cover legendary rock songs such as “Open Arms” by JOURNEY, “Purple Rain” by Prince, “Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by THE ROLLING STONES, “Stairway To Heaven” by LED ZEPPELIN, and “Freebird” by LYNYRD SKYNYRD.
With regard to his choice to collaborate with Parton, Perry stated to Classic Rock: “I’ve still got so much [of my own new] music backed up in my studio, but the truth is that I’m a bit lazy. Right now, I’m only doing things that I can really emotionally connect with. Anything else, I kind of pull away from.”
He also revealed, “The duet between Dolly and I on ‘Open Arms’ has just been mixed by Chris Lord-Alge and it sounds great. Dolly told me she had always loved the song and wanted to sing it on an album. ‘Open Arms’ has been recorded many, many times down the years, but, honestly, she killed it. Dolly is singing her tush off.”
During her acceptance speech at the Rock Hall ceremony, Parton named a number of musicians she hoped to work with on her rock album. She also disclosed that she and Perry will be performing “Open Arms” together.
The song “Open Arms” was first released in 1981 on JOURNEY’s seventh album, “Escape”. The song was co-written by Perry and Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist for JOURNEY, and it was also included on the soundtrack for the science fiction movie “Heavy Metal.”
Numerous recording artists, including Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Barry Manilow, R&B group BOYZ II MEN, and Mariah Carey, covered “Open Arms,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rock performers Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST, who sang “Jolene” with Dolly Parton at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Nikki Sixx of MTLEY CRÜE, and guitarist John 5 are all anticipated to be included on the album.
When addressing TotalRock, Rob said: “After the show, her manager came up to me, Danny [Nozell], and he goes, ‘She’s doing a project, like a rock album. Would you be interested?’ I said, ‘Yeah. Here’s my number.’ And then, out of the blue, like four weeks later, and suddenly [there’s] ideas for some more work.”
Parton said during an interview on “The View” that she worked on the record with several legendary musicians, including Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Steve Perry, John Fogerty, P!nk, and Brandi Carlile.
Parton said, “If I’m gonna be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, I’m gonna have to do something to earn it. So I’m doing a rock and roll album, and I’m having a lot of the rock stars that I met that night be on the album with me.”
