This is such sad news, the world has lost a truly incredible and talented person. I am 50 so music wise I was a child of the 90s, but as I have got older I have really come to understand and respect really her music. I have asked Alexa to play it now and her voice and songs send shivers down my spine. It is so nuanced and hauntingly beautiful. Dolly's version of 'I will always love you' for example, is a million miles away from the overblown Whitney Houston version, but she always took it in good grace and joked about the money it made her. Island's in the Stream must be one of the best duets of all time.
As for her humour, philanthropy and that she just radiated kindness, having roots in absolute poverty, Dolly truly seems to have been one of a kind in this increasingly fractured and self-obsessed world. Steel Magnolias remains my comfort movie and that for my DC following her dad dying when she was aged eight. It is a warm hug of a film whilst having a cast of amazing, funny and strong women.
RIP Dolly, I doubt we will see your like again.