Harry Styles paused his Madison Square Garden concert Wednesday night to honor Dolly Parton during the opening show of his 30-date New York residency. The performance marked the beginning of an extended run at the arena as part of his Together, Together tour.
Speaking from the stage, Styles thanked the musicians who have inspired him over the years and gave Parton a special acknowledgment following her death Tuesday at age 80. He then played Parton’s original recording of I Will Always Love You as fans across the arena sang along and raised their phones.
The tribute came late in the concert, shortly before Styles performed Sign of the Times. Parton first released I Will Always Love You in 1974, when it became a No. 1 country hit. Whitney Houston later introduced the song to a new global audience with her 1992 version.
Styles also changed up his usual tour setlist for the Madison Square Garden opener, bringing back older songs and giving The Waiting Game its live debut.