Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo has quit the heavy metal band after a dispute over the decision to release a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” just days after her death. Rebollo, who joined Bad Wolves as a touring guitarist in 2023, claimed the planned tribute became the “final nail in the coffin” following several disagreements with the group’s record label. The guitarist said members had opposed releasing the song after Parton died because she could no longer contribute the guest vocals that had reportedly been planned.
Rebollo announced his departure in a lengthy statement shared on social media. “I can no longer in good faith remain a member and co-sign the decisions constantly being made FOR this band by the label, among other issues I have with the inner workings of the business,” he said.
The guitarist acknowledged that he expected certain challenges when he joined Bad Wolves, but claimed he did not initially understand the full extent of the band’s internal problems. “When I stepped into the picture, a part of me knew what I was getting into, but the full extent of it was unknown to me,” he said.
“I have been at odds with one too many decisions being made for the band for quite some time, but the final nail in the coffin was the label’s decision to move forward with the upcoming Dolly Parton cover, after we blatantly expressed our opposition,” he added.
According to Rebollo, the band had been working on a heavy metal version of “Jolene” before Parton died at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. The release proceeded despite opposition from multiple members, according to Rebollo’s account.
Dolly Parton Was Reportedly Set To Record Vocals
Bad Wolves founding drummer John Boecklin said the cover was initially intended to become a collaboration with Parton. The band had already recorded a demo featuring its new lead singer, Sara “Killboy” Skinner, and planned to include the track on its next album.
“Our new singer is a big fan of Dolly and had posted a bunch of videos of her covering ‘Jolene.’ So, we decided to make a heavy metal cover version for our next album,” Boecklin said. “On hearing our version, our label CEO Dan Waite sent the finished demo to Dolly’s manager Danny Nozell with a request for Dolly to guest feature on our version.”
He said they heard back that Danny had played the track to Dolly, and that “Dolly loved our version, and that Dolly was going to go into the studio and add her vocals very soon.”
The band then “sent over the stems for Dolly’s studio engineers to work with,” and “like everyone, we were devastated [by] this week’s news of Dolly’s passing.” The band said they will honor Dolly’s “incredible legacy by donating proceeds from ‘Jolene’ to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.”
Parton reportedly heard and approved the group’s rendition before her death, but did not record her contribution.
Guitarist Worried About How The Tribute Would Look
Rebollo claimed members no longer wanted to release the track once a collaboration with Parton became impossible. “We, as an entity, told the label we had no interest in releasing the cover after learning of Dolly’s unfortunate passing as her collaboration on the song was no longer a possibility,” Rebollo said. “And we felt it would (understandably) be interpreted as somewhat of a capitalization on her passing from an outside perspective.”
Although Rebollo supported donating proceeds to Parton’s literacy nonprofit, he remained uncomfortable with the decision and its timing. “While the donation to her Imagination Library is an incredible choice to do something good with the profits, I can’t help but feel there is ill intent behind the decision to release the song,” Rebollo said.
The guitarist did not accuse his bandmates of attempting to exploit Parton’s death. Instead, his criticism was directed toward decisions he alleged were being made by the label without sufficient regard for the band’s wishes.
Label Disagreements Allegedly Took A Mental Toll
Rebollo said the “Jolene” dispute reflected a larger pattern of frustration behind the scenes. “With the label completely disregarding numerous decisions we make out of passion, and ultimately just unknowingly exhausting the band’s attempts to fully enjoy being here, I am no longer happy here,” Rebollo said.
He added, “The amount of hate, negativity, and harassment we receive on a daily basis due to decisions made outside of our control has taken a massive toll on our sanity.”
Despite leaving without another job secured, Rebollo said he could no longer compromise his artistic values. “…I have no interest in being a vessel for what I believe to be terrible decisions,” Rebollo said. “Music is my job, my livelihood, and most importantly, my passion.”
He continued, “Stepping away from this is absolutely terrifying as I am sacrificing what little I have left when it comes to stability within the music world. I do not know what the future holds for me regarding that.”
Rebollo also thanked Boecklin and the label for helping him support himself during his time with the band.
Rebollo Insists He Has No Ill Will Toward Bad Wolves
Although his exit was prompted by a major dispute, Rebollo emphasized that he still cared about the musicians he worked alongside. “This is not, by any means, some sort of call to arms against anyone, nor do I wish ill will on anyone involved in the label’s decision making,” he said.
“I absolutely loved the time I got to spend with the band. I love them all (the old and new members) as bandmates, people, and friends,” Rebollo continued. “I loved creating this upcoming album with them as I think it is a genuinely incredible piece of art, but this is a decision I just have to make.”
Bad Wolves was co-founded by Boecklin in 2017. The group achieved a multi-platinum breakthrough the following year with its cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.” Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan had reportedly planned to record vocals for the track before her death in January 2018. The song was subsequently released without her contribution and became Bad Wolves’ biggest commercial success.
Boecklin is now the only founding member who remains in Bad Wolves. The group’s previous lineup has included vocalist Tommy Vext, guitarists Doc Coyle and Chris Cain, and bassist Kyle Konkiel.
A release date has not been announced for the band’s fifth full-length album.
