Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo has reportedly quit the heavy metal band, and according to his own account, the split stems from the band’s handling of a cover of Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit “Jolene” following her death.
According to TMZ, Rebollo posted a message on Instagram on Friday explaining his reasoning for exiting the group. Bad Wolves previously drew attention for their cover of Dolly Parton’s “Zombie” — wait, more precisely, the band has a history of covering iconic songs, and this time the source indicates the point of contention was tied specifically to how the “Jolene” cover situation was handled in the wake of Parton’s passing.
What Led to the Split
Per the report, Rebollo’s Instagram post laid out his rationale for leaving Bad Wolves, connecting his departure directly to the circumstances surrounding the “Jolene” cover tune and the band’s response following Dolly Parton’s death. The TMZ report does not detail the full contents of his statement beyond confirming that this was his stated reason for exiting.
Bad Wolves is known in the rock and metal community for previous high-profile covers, including a rendition of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” that became one of the band’s signature tracks. Their reported plan or execution of a “Jolene” cover appears to have created internal friction that ultimately led to Rebollo’s departure, according to the account he shared publicly.
As of this report, neither Bad Wolves nor other band members have publicly responded to Rebollo’s statement, and further details about the band’s future lineup or plans have not been confirmed.
Dolly Parton’s Legacy
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” released in 1973, remains one of the most covered and celebrated songs in American music history. Her death has reportedly prompted tributes across the music industry, and this apparent internal band dispute highlights how her influence continues to ripple through artists across genres, including hard rock and metal.
Additional details about Rebollo’s next steps or Bad Wolves’ response have not yet been reported.
