Remembering Dolly Parton: A look back at her Vancouver concerts

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A look back over The Vancouver Sun and The Province archives highlighted some of the times the Lower Mainland was lucky enough to be visited by this late, great icon of music and all-around humanitarianism:

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The Porter Wagoner Travelling Show

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When: Feb. 20, 1972
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre

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Dolly Parton performs as part of the Porter Wagoner show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

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In a review titled “Wagoner: good vibrations,” reviewer Bob Smith expressed his leering approval for Parton’s prodigious talents, describing her as “this pretty gal who reminded me of a better endowed Daisy Mae.” Smith noted, ” … I was still more interested in applauding Dolly’s total profile and her powerful musical voice.” It’s notable that the mention of her voice occurs once in the review, while comments about her looks occur five times. Oh, yeah, he doesn’t mention that Parton penned most of the two musicians’ hit duets.

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Dolly Parton

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When: Dec. 15, 1977
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre

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Dolly Parton performing in on 1977-78 tour.

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Parton returned to Vancouver as a solo artist only five years after her debut as part of The Porter Wagoner Travelling Show. She was now a bona fide star, with a set list packed with No. 1 hits. At the time of the concert, she was riding high with her cover of Barry Mann’s Here You Come Again. But the show also included Jolene, Applejack, Coat of Many Colors and the tune she wrote to Wagoner to say goodbye to their duo: I Will Always Love You.

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The Terry Fox photo

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When: Sometime 1981

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Undated photo of Terry Fox with picture of Dolly Parton.

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In 1981, Terry Fox was presented with an autographed photo of Dolly with the message, “To Terry — My courageous friend. God bless You. Love, Dolly Parton.” Organizers had approached Parton’s management to see if she could come perform at a black-tie dinner in honour of Fox’s Marathon of Hope run and the Canadian Cancer Society. She was touring elsewhere and couldn’t make it, but sent the photo to be presented. According to history, it hung on Fox’s wall until the end.

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Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

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When: Aug. 22, 1990
Where: Pacific Coliseum

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Later in her career, Parton and Kenny Rogers partnered up for a series of successful tours together. The two artists had complimentary personalities and good crossover with their fan base. Reviewer John Mackie noted that Rogers was Mr. Schmaltz, while Parton was Ms. Personality. Apparently, it wasn’t a great night for Kenny, but Dolly was on point all night long.

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Dolly Parton: The Pure & Simple Tour

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When: Sept. 19, 2016
Where: Rogers Arena

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Reviewer Francois Marchand couldn’t have put the experience of Parton’s last local show better than The Vancouver Sun headline to his story: “Dolly Parton keeps it Pure and Simple in joyful Vancouver show.”

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The singer’s first full North American tour in over two decades rolled into Rogers Arena with a stripped-down stage set that was proper blinding when the spotlights focused in on Parton’s white and rhinestone-inlaid guitar and suit. With no opening act and two parts, the performance was a career-spanning event that encompassed over 24 tunes.

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“This is our last night in Canada,” she said early on. “What a wonderful way to leave this wonderful country.”

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For those fortunate enough to have been there, it still resonates as a wonderful goodbye from one of contemporary music’s biggest stars.

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