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From bold psychedelic rockers and cinematic story songs to sentimental country-pop, Kenny Rogers covered considerable musical turf throughout six decades of recording and performing, using his gravel-tinged vocals to dramatic effect. Along the way, he also became a globally recognized actor, photographer, businessman, and philanthropist. When Rogers announced his final Nashville concert in 2017, after 60 years of performances, he acknowledged his mobility had become more limited in recent years. Rogers died Friday night at age 81 from natural causes, his rep confirmed in a statement.
“The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10: 25PM at the age of 81,” his rep said. “Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date.
Featured on a staggering 30 Number One singles across the U.S. pop, country, and adult contemporary charts from 1977 to 1999, Rogers earned three Grammys, five CMA awards, and eight ACM awards, along with membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame. He also charted internationally with some of his most enduring hits, including “The Gambler,” “Lucille,” and “Islands in the Stream,” the breezy Bee Gees-penned 1983 collaboration (from the Barry Gibb-produced album Eyes That See in the Dark) with Dolly Parton.
A founding member of folk-rock group the First Edition, the bearded entertainer with the rich, soulful voice was a staple on TV’s most influential variety series throughout the Sixties and Seventies, making regular appearances on shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell, among many others. His final Nashville concert, in October 2017, featured his last-ever performance with Parton, and appearances from Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Darius Rucker, Jamey Johnson, Elle King, Broadway and film star Idina Menzel, and the alt-rockers Flaming Lips.
I always liked his music, and even (many of) his movies were entertaining. He has a lasting legacy and will be missed.
May He Rest In Peace.
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Godspeed Kenny. I grew up listening to country music. I was 10 years old in 1975 and to me that's when I started listening to music more and from about 1975 to the late 80s were great times for country music. Kenny Rogers had at least one hit it seemed like on the radio at all times through those years. Arguably a lot of his music was more pop than country it got airplay on country stations anyway and it was some very good music. When I was about 13 or 14 I started learning to play the guitar. I had a friend just up the road that was older and I told him I wanted to learn. He told me to write down the words on a sheet of paper my favorite country song on the radio at the time and I did. He taught me the G, C, and D chords on the guitar. The song (like millions of songs) was a three chord song. He told me to practice that song until I could sing it and play the chords without having to pause to change chords and come back and then he would teach me more. The song? The Gambler. Many probably don't know this or remember but the song was written by Don Schlitz, and he also recorded it and realeased it and it had mediocre airplay. But when Kenny Rogers recorded it and released it, it exploded. So thanks Kenny for the role you played in a young boy from the piney woods of Northeast Florida's quest to learn guitar.
:-)
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My Mom was a fan back in the 70's and early 80's, so I heard lots of Kenny at home.
Ruby (Don't Take Your Love to Town) is probably my favorite KR song.
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