Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton at his induction to the
Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN, May 4, 2003

Porter Wagoner, host of the longest running country music variety show in history, died from lung cancer on Sunday, at age 80.

Wagoner, the Grand Ole Opry star who was known for his blonde pompadour and flashy rhinestone costumes, helped launch the career of Dolly Parton when he hired her as his duet partner on The Porter Wagoner Show, which ran for 21 years, beginning in 1960.

Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You” was written for Wagoner after their acrimonious split.