Harry Styles turned his Madison Square Garden concert into an emotional tribute to Dolly Parton on Wednesday night, just one day after the country music icon died at 80.

During his Together, Together tour performance on Aug. 26, the 32-year-old singer paused to honor Parton, whom he credited as an inspiration to his career. The moment quickly became a powerful arena-wide celebration of her music.

Rather than perform the song himself, Styles invited the audience to take part when Parton’s 1974 hit I Will Always Love You began playing. Fans danced, sang along and illuminated Madison Square Garden with their cellphone lights. His fiancée, Zoë Kravitz, was also among those in attendance.

The tribute came shortly after Parton’s death was confirmed. The legendary singer died on Aug. 25, aged 80, following what her representatives described as a brief battle with cancer.

Earlier that day, Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death through a video posted to her Instagram account. Seaver, who had served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades following his father Larry’s tenure, explained that Parton had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement when the time came.

Parton’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes across the entertainment world. Alongside Styles, artists including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus have publicly mourned the loss of the country music legend, while fans around the world have gathered to celebrate her extraordinary legacy.

Styles was not the only musician to turn to I Will Always Love You in remembrance. John Mayer also performed the song during his SiriusXM show at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Wednesday evening. The 48-year-old musician closed his set with the Dolly Parton classic on guitar before transitioning into his own hit Gravity.

Parton’s influence extended far beyond her music. Throughout a career spanning decades, she sold more than 160 million albums worldwide while becoming widely known for her philanthropy. Her Imagination Library sends one book every month to children from birth until kindergarten.

Her legacy will also continue through Dollywood, the amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which will remain open following her death. Park executives have said that keeping the attraction running was consistent with one of Parton’s wishes.

The singer had continued working shortly before her death. On Aug. 21, just four days before she died, she spoke publicly about her health and acknowledged that she was recovering while still determined to pursue the projects and ambitions she had yet to complete.

Now, as musicians and fans continue to process her loss, Styles’ Madison Square Garden tribute offered a particularly poignant reminder of how deeply Parton’s music reached across generations.

Source: Compiled from various sources.