Neil Young & Dolly Parton: The Tour That Never Was

In September 1978, an unusual concert announcement surfaced for a Neil Young and Crazy Horse tour, featuring Dolly Parton as a special guest. This pairing seemed unlikely given Parton's peak country-pop success and Young's raw, electric 'Rust Never Sleeps' tour. Parton's manager, Jim Morey, stated Young knew his audience and believed Parton would appeal to them.

Parton was added after shows sold out, with her manager noting she wouldn't alter her music beyond shortening her set. However, the tour's identity shifted significantly. Young's album 'Rust Never Sleeps' wasn't released until 1979, but the tour was booked when his country-tinged album 'Comes a Time' was recent.

Reports soon emerged that Parton would not perform, with some outlets citing second billing and insufficient performance time as reasons. The reality was that Young decided to implement a new, elaborate stage show concept, including extended acoustic and electric sets. This creative direction meant the tour would not incorporate country elements, leading to the cancellation of Parton's opening slot.

Ultimately, the planned Neil Young-Dolly Parton tour became a historical footnote. While other opening acts from that month achieved fame, this unique collaboration never materialized, largely due to Young's evolving artistic vision for the tour.