Bad Wolves Guitarist Quits Band Over Dolly Parton Cover

Bad Wolves are confronting turmoil as guitarist AJ Rebollo has announced his departure from the band, citing deep disagreements surrounding the release of their cover of Dolly Parton's iconic song "Jolene." Rebollo, who joined Bad Wolves as a touring guitarist in 2023, expressed that the band's label's decision to proceed with the cover following Parton's death was the decisive factor in his exit.

The cover, originally intended to feature Parton herself contributing vocals, was slated for release on August 31, 2023. According to a statement from the band, the project had been in development for some time, inspired partly by the new vocalist’s admiration for Parton. The label's CEO had sought Parton’s involvement, and she had reportedly responded positively before her untimely passing.

However, with Parton's death, members of Bad Wolves, including Rebollo, voiced opposition to releasing the track, concerned that it might be perceived as exploiting the late artist’s legacy. Despite these objections, the label chose to proceed with the release, which Rebollo identifies as a breach of trust and the catalyst for his decision to leave.

Rebollo criticized the label for overriding the band's collective stance and highlighted ongoing frustrations with decisions made without the band’s full consent. He contrasted this experience with his previous tenure in the metalcore group Issues, where band autonomy was respected more thoroughly. The guitarist acknowledged the label and Bad Wolves' founder John Boecklin for their support but emphasized that artistic integrity compelled him to step away.

The emotional and professional toll of navigating public scrutiny and harassment, often linked to decisions made beyond the band's control, also contributed to Rebollo’s departure. He underscored the difficulty of sustaining passion for music under such pressures and expressed uncertainty about his future in the industry.

Drummer John Boecklin provided additional context, explaining that the cover originated from the new vocalist’s fondness for Parton’s work and that the label had actively sought a collaboration with Parton’s team. Boecklin confirmed that proceeds from the cover will benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a charitable organization promoting literacy, as a way to honor Parton’s legacy despite the unfortunate circumstances.

In parallel, Bad Wolves' frontwoman Sara "Killboy" Skinner recently faced significant backlash and harassment from the fanbase of Skillet, a band with whom Bad Wolves were scheduled to tour. Skinner’s personal background was scrutinized and used as a basis for online abuse, prompting the band to withdraw from the tour. Autumn Kings has since been announced as their replacement.

Skinner joined Bad Wolves in June 2023 and debuted on the track "Paint It Red." Her integration into the band coincides with a period of considerable upheaval for Bad Wolves, marked by lineup changes and external controversies.

These events reflect broader tensions between artist autonomy and label control, especially in situations involving high-profile collaborations and sensitive timing. For Bad Wolves, the conflicts over the Dolly Parton cover and ensuing departures underscore challenges in balancing creative vision with commercial decisions made by stakeholders outside the band.

As of now, details about the future direction of Bad Wolves remain limited, with the band continuing to navigate the aftermath of these departures and public scrutiny. The situation highlights the complexities artists face when legacy icons are involved and the delicate considerations required to manage posthumous releases respectfully.