Harry Styles Honors Dolly Parton With MSG Cover After Her Death

Harry Styles opened his unprecedented 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden with a heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80.

During the first night of the New York run, Styles thanked his band and acknowledged the musicians who shaped him, singling out Parton with a special mention. He then performed two verses and choruses of her 1974 classic 'I Will Always Love You,' inviting the audience to join in on the first chorus.

As the crowd sang along, the live rendition faded into a recording of Parton's original, which then transitioned into Styles' own hit 'Sign of the Times.'

Parton's legacy spans decades. She was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and wrote over 3,000 songs. Billboard named her the Top Country Artist of All Time, and she holds the record for the most number-one hits on the Hot Country Songs chart by a woman, with 25.

Beyond music, Parton was known for her philanthropy, including the Imagination Library, which mails free books to children, and her co-ownership of the Dollywood theme park. She also produced films through Sandollar Productions, including 'Father of the Bride' and 'Sabrina.'

New York is the only US stop on Styles' current tour, which previously included dates in Amsterdam, London, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City.