How Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt Became a Supergroup

Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt were three of the most gifted singers of the ’60s and ’70s. In the ’80s, these three iconic women combined their talents to form a supergroup aptly named Trio.

In 1987, Trio released their self-titled album, which topped the Billboard Country chart. It was a commercial hit and went on to win a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Twelve years later, in 1999, they released their second and final album, Trio II.

Here’s a look back at the creation of Trio and why their music continues to resonate with fans.

The formation of Trio was a long and passionate journey. Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt were already established artists with music that blended country, folk, rock, and pop. Despite the male-dominated music scene of that era, Parton, Harris, and Ronstadt had long admired each other’s work. There was no competition between these three extraordinary singers, which is often not the case in the industry.

The trio first sang together in 1975. Harris recalled, “The sound that we made together surprised and astonished the three of us.” Realizing they had something unique, they started working on an album in 1979. This initial effort didn’t materialize, but in the ’80s, their schedules and artistic interests aligned, allowing them to get back into the studio and create something magical.

The 1987 Trio album includes two Parton songs, “The Pain of Loving You” and “Wildflowers,” as well as pop classics like “To Know Him Is to Love Him.” The album also features traditional songs and tracks by contemporary female folk singer-songwriters like Linda Thompson and Kate McGarrigle.

The album is defined by the singers’ enchanting harmonies. However, the collaboration wasn’t always smooth. Parton once amusingly remarked, “Linda is such a perfectionist. She’s a pain in the ass sometimes because she is such a perfectionist. She will not have it unless it’s perfect. She used to make me sing those harmonies over and over and over.” Despite Ronstadt’s perfectionism, there was no ego involved, making Trio a true collaboration. Each singer contributed her unique style, yet they worked together as one harmonious unit.

Parton described singing with Harris and Ronstadt as “a high like you’ve never felt.” The album was a hit, gaining crossover popularity thanks to its star-studded performers and eclectic song choices. The low-key, vocal-centric production stood out in the ’80s music scene. Ronstadt expressed that many listeners misunderstood the album, saying, “I don’t think anybody liked the idea of three women singers. I don’t think anybody liked the idea of us not being in a niche. It wasn’t rock’n’roll, it wasn’t country, it wasn’t this, it wasn’t that. It was old-timey music.”

The musical sisterhood of Trio endures over 35 years later, with Parton, Harris, and Ronstadt remaining close friends. Their inability to be boxed into a single genre made their combined talents even more remarkable. With three women singing so beautifully together, the harmonies truly speak for themselves.

Source: Particle News, Getty Images