John Mayer is reflecting on the extraordinary impact of Dolly Parton following her death.
Sitting down for SiriusXM‘s Andy Cohen Live on Wednesday as tributes continued to pour in for the country music icon, Mayer described Parton’s death as not only a “huge loss,” but a “universal loss,” marveling at the way people around the world came together to celebrate her life and legacy.
“I think Dolly would be really happy to see that on the day of her passing, the world came together in a way that it hadn’t in a very long time to celebrate someone,” Mayer said.
The singer/songwriter and guitarist went on to speak on the rare ability Patron had to unite people across generations and differences.
“I don’t know that there are many people in this world [that are] left that can galvanize a very fractured world to come together and share love for one person,” he continued. “When everyone’s loving one person at the same time, it is everybody loving at the same time, which has this sort of side effect of feeling each other’s love when that happens.”
For Mayer, the outpouring of grief and admiration served as a testament to the life Parton lived. “This is what a life well-lived looks like, feels like, and sounds like,” he said, praising the many layers of her artistry and career as a “brilliant, classy, talented, full artistic rendering.”
“This is how you give your life to the thing you love,” Mayer added.
Mayer also paid tribute to Parton through music. The guitarist and Dead & Company member shared a moving instrumental rendition of her signature hit “I Will Always Love You,” putting his own electrifying spin on the classic during his SiriusXM Live performance at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, New York.
Watch the performance below.
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