Porter Wagoner hospitalized with lung cancer

Photo by Anne Leibovitz

Porter Wagoner remains hospitalized in serious condition as he battles lung cancer, his publicist told the Associated Press.

The 80-year-old Wagoner, one of country music's most legendary stars and famed duet partner of Dolly Parton, has been a mainstay of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry music program for the past 50 years. His flashy, rhinestone-covered stage outfits made him one of Nashville's must recognizable performers.

But Wagoner remains forever linked to Parton, whose career he jump-started in 1967 when she began appearing on his weekly television show as the lead female performer. Even after Parton moved out from beneath Wagoner's wing in the mid-'70s, the two continued to collaborate on and off over the ensuing years. During a visit to Wagoner's hospital room last week, Parton vowed to sing with him again, Opry spokesperson Jessie Schmidt said.

Wagoner has enjoyed a renewed profile in the rock world as of late, signing aboard famed indie label Anti- Records and performing as the opening act for the White Stripes at Madison Square Garden this summer. His latest effort, Wagonmaster, garnered some of the strongest reviews of his career, including a four-star recommendation from Paste.

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