Kenny Rogers, country music icon, dies at 81

Kenny Rogers, a longtime star of country music, died Friday night, according to a statement posted by his family. He was 81.

Known for such hits as “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Lucille,” Rogers died peacefully at home in Sandy Springs, Ga., of natural causes at 10:25 p.m., the statement said.

Rogers later developed "The Gambler" into a series of television movies in which he starred.

In all, Rogers had 24 No. 1 hits and was the winner of six CMA Awards and three Grammys, the family's statement said.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2013 he received the Country Music Association's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, according to Variety.

Early in his career, Rogers led the band Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, whose hits included the Mel Tillis-written song, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town."

Born in Houston, Rogers was raised in public housing along with seven siblings. He had his first gold single at age 20 with a song called "That Crazy Feeling."

Prior to The First Edition, Rogers sang with the New Christy Minstrels in the 1960s. After The First Edition disbanded in 1974 he launched his enormously successful solo career.

His duet hit "Islands in The Stream," sung with Dolly Parton, grew from a suggestion by Bee Gees star Barry Gibb, who wrote the song, according to The Associated Press.

Until that point, Rogers hadn't been thrilled with the song. But then Parton joined him in the recording studio.

“From the moment she marched into that room, that song never sounded the same,” Rogers said, according to the AP. “It took on a whole new spirit.”

Last May, Rogers was admitted to a Georgia hospital for dehydration, amid rumors that his overall health was failing.

In 2018, health problems prompted Rogers to call off shows during what was billed as his farewell concert tour.

"Kenny Rogers has been working through a series of health challenges and has been advised to cancel all performances through the end of the year to focus on recuperation," a statement from the singer's management said at the time.

"I didn't want to take forever to retire," Rogers was quoted as saying. "I've thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on 'The Gambler's Last Deal' tour."

RIP

He will be missed!

I've never cared much for country music, but who didn't like The Gambler, Coward of the County or his version of We've Got Tonight with Sheena Easton.

RIP Kenny ....

"And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep" --- The Gambler

https://www.youtube.com/w...mCsxx8oiNc

https://www.youtube.com/w...hx4gdlfamo

Aww

I can't say I know his music too well, but Ive always loved the Islands in Stream and the gambler song.

I was big into country when I was a pre-teen. (Donna Summer's "She Works Hard For The Money" changed that.) Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, BJ Thomas, Johnny Lee, Anne Murray, etc., and Kenny Rogers.

To coin his song, he decorated my young life. I always love his voice and his music. Never heard a controversy about him or anything bad. He was an avid photographer, too. My friend owns his photography book. There's a great shot of Janet Jackson in it.

If you haven't ever heard his and Lionel's story about "Lady," find it. They both tell a funny tale. Also, they dueted on it together on Richie's Tuskegee album, a CD of duets of his songs with other artists.

For those that don't know him, find his songs and listen to them. "Lucille," "Daytime Friends," "She Believes In Me," "You Decorated My Life," "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer (Duet with Kim Carnes)," "Through The Years," "Lady," so many hits. He's done more than one duet with Carnes, and Dolly Parton. He did a string with Dottie West, too. Can't forget that Sheena Easton duet!

Not a fan of the genre of country music by and large but Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

were two of the artists that had the gift to pull you in a little. I know of a few of his of his

legendary hits. I learned of a little tidbit today that he actually sung background vocals on

Lionel Richie's My Love. Kenny was always a class act and will be missed.

TrivialPursuit said:

I always love his voice

It was a very soothing voice, wasn't it? I think that's what appealed the most to me about his music.

The only country songs I remembered liking were his and that one Devil Went Down To Georgia song.

Pokeno4Money said:

TrivialPursuit said:

I always love his voice

It was a very soothing voice, wasn't it? I think that's what appealed the most to me about his music.

The only country songs I remembered liking were his and that one Devil Went Down To Georgia song.

Charlie Daniels Band sang that one. It was made even bigger by being on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. It was such a controversy back then because you didn't normally hear "son of a bitch" in a song. There was a more radio friendly version with "son of a gun."

Kenny also had a song on the UC soundtrack.

TrivialPursuit said:

Pokeno4Money said:

It was a very soothing voice, wasn't it? I think that's what appealed the most to me about his music.

The only country songs I remembered liking were his and that one Devil Went Down To Georgia song.

Charlie Daniels Band sang that one. It was made even bigger by being on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. It was such a controversy back then because you didn't normally hear "son of a bitch" in a song. There was a more radio friendly version with "son of a gun."

Kenny also had a song on the UC soundtrack.

That's right, I do remember the controversy surrounding SOB.

Kenny and Dolly were my two favorite C&W singers when I was growing up. RIHP, Kenny.

TrivialPursuit said:

I was big into country when I was a pre-teen. (Donna Summer's "She Works Hard For The Money" changed that.) Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, BJ Thomas, Johnny Lee, Anne Murray, etc., and Kenny Rogers.

To coin his song, he decorated my young life. I always love his voice and his music. Never heard a controversy about him or anything bad. He was an avid photographer, too. My friend owns his photography book. There's a great shot of Janet Jackson in it.

If you haven't ever heard his and Lionel's story about "Lady," find it. They both tell a funny tale. Also, they dueted on it together on Richie's Tuskegee album, a CD of duets of his songs with other artists.

For those that don't know him, find his songs and listen to them. "Lucille," "Daytime Friends," "She Believes In Me," "You Decorated My Life," "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer (Duet with Kim Carnes)," "Through The Years," "Lady," so many hits. He's done more than one duet with Carnes, and Dolly Parton. He did a string with Dottie West, too. Can't forget that Sheena Easton duet!

Love those songs. Kenny Rogers was very pop friendly on the radio. I also like the song "This Woman" which Barry Gibb of the Bee Gee's co-wrote and sings back up vocals on the track.

Pokeno4Money said:

I've never cared much for country music, but who didn't like The Gambler, Coward of the County or his version of We've Got Tonight with Sheena Easton.

RIP Kenny ....

"And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep" --- The Gambler

https://www.youtube.com/w...mCsxx8oiNc

https://www.youtube.com/w...hx4gdlfamo

RIP and his version of Lady(1980) is amazing

Pokeno4Money said:

TrivialPursuit said:

I always love his voice

It was a very soothing voice, wasn't it? I think that's what appealed the most to me about his music.

The only country songs I remembered liking were his and that one Devil Went Down To Georgia song.

Looking for Love was a good song too. Plus Eddie Rabbit had some good songs

Kenny Rogers & Bill Withers: Ain't No Sunshine, Lean On Me