Kenny Rogers

At 81 years old, Kenny Rogers has this physical status:

Kenneth Ray Rogers (born August 21, 1938) is an American singer, guitarist, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur.

He began his recording career with jazz-singer Bobby Doyle in the late 1950s and joined the folk band The New Christy Minstrels in 1961, playing double bass and bass guitar as well as singing.

In 1967, he and several members of The New Christy Minstrels formed The First Edition, a psychedelic rock band with whom he performed his first big hit, "Just Dropped In (To See What My Health Was In)," a psychedelic rock song that debuted at number five on the Billboard charts.

As Rogers' leadership role in The First Edition grew, and after the success of 1969's "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," the band gradually changed styles to a more country feel.

Kenny Rogers began playing in 1975-1976, and the band's history began in 1975-1976, with duets with singers Dolly Parton and Sheena Easton, and a songwriting contract with Lionel Richie. The Gambler, 1978's "The Gambler," a cross-over hit that earned him a Grammy award in 1980 and was selected in 2018 by the Library of Congress for preservation.

He'll make the Gambler persona come alive in a lucrative series of television films beginning with Emmy-nominated Kenny Rogers as The Gambler in 1980. Rogers has charted more than 120 hit singles from various genres, topped the country and pop charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone, and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the top-selling music artists of all time.

Early life

Rogers was born in Houston, Texas, on August 21, 1938, as the fourth of eight children. Lucille Lois Rogers, a nurse's assistant, and Edward Floyd Rogers (1904–1975), a carpenter, were two of his parents. Rogers is thought to have ancestry from Ireland and Native Americans. Rogers attended Wharton Elementary School, George Washington Junior High School, and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School (now Northside High School) in 1956.

Rogers appeared at the Texan Theatre in 1949. He worked as a busboy at the Rice Hotel and swept floors at a hat store for $9 a week. He later attended the University of Houston.

Rogers argued in 1986 that he was the first individual in his family "as far back as we know" to graduate from high school. "We were broke." We lived in a federal housing project. I think the most money my father ever earned was $75 a week. I don't think I was ever hungry as a youth – I always had food to eat – but there's no doubt that our families were certainly hungry at times. We'd eat peanut butter sandwiches if there was any at all. Quite simply, if you're a child, you don't know any better, and you'd assume that's how everyone eats."

Personal life

Rogers owned Smitty, a pet goat at Beaver Dam Farms, a former Colbert, Georgia estate. He first obtained the animal from a friend in 2008. The goat was "(his) center," according to Rogers, bringing a calming presence to long and exhausting touring schedules.

Rogers was married five times and had five children. His first marriage was to Janice Gordon on May 15, 1958; they divorced in April 1960 with just one child, Carole Lynne. Jean, his second wife, married him in October 1960 and divorced her in 1963. In October 1963, his third marriage was to Margo Anderson; the couple divorced in 1975, leaving with just one child. Marianne Gordon, his fourth wife, was married on October 1, 1977, and the couple divorced in 1993 with just one child. On June 1, 1997, he married Wanda Miller in his fifth marriage. They had twin boys and were married for 22 years before his death.

Rogers' seven-decade career came to an end in 2017 after he suffered with bladder cancer diagnosis.

According to Radar Online, Rogers was fighting bladder cancer on May 19, the same disease that caused him to withdraw from the public eye in 2018.

Rogers died at the age of 81 while receiving hospice care at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on March 20, 2020. He is laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta.

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Career

Rogers went from teenage rock and roll through psychedelic rock to becoming a 1970s-pop crossover artist. "That Crazy Feeling" was his first solo hit in 1957. Rogers joined the Bobby Doyle Threesome, a jazz band who were often recruited by clubs due to their fanbase. Columbia Records is a record of Columbia Records. They disbanded in 1965, but Rogers' "Here Is That Rainy Day" failed, despite being a 1966 jazz rock single. Rogers has worked as a writer, editor, and session musician for other artists, including country singer Mickey Gilley and Eddy Arnold. He joined the New Christy Minstrels as a guitarist and double bassist in 1966.

Rogers and fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams, and Thelma Camacho left the Minstrels after feeling that the Minstrels were not delivering the results they desired, and they were left dissatisfied. They first printed the First Edition in 1967 (later renamed "Kenny Rogers and the First Edition)). Kin Vassy joined them later. They produced "Just Dropped In (To See What My Body Was In)" (Rogers did lead vocals and bass in the Coen brothers' Dream Sequence), "But You Know I Love You" ("Remember, Don't Take My Love to Town"), "Reality, Burning"), and "Something's Burning" on both the pop and country charts, among other hits, including "Just Dropped In (To See How Much Love Is In) (Ro

Rogers began his solo career after the First Edition was disbanded in 1976. He soon developed a more middle-of-the-road sound that attracted both pop and country audiences. More than 60 top-40 hit singles have been charted (including two number ones, "Lady" and "Islands in the Stream"), along with two others. His music has appeared on top-selling movie soundtracks, such as Convoy, Urban Cowboy, and The Big Lebowski.

Rogers left the First Edition in 1976 after almost a decade with the company, in 1977, he signed a solo contract with United Artists. Larry Butler and Rogers began a four-year relationship.

Love Lifted Me, Rogers' first outing for his new brand. "Love Lifted Me" and "While the Feeling's Good" were minor hits on the album, as well as two singles, "Love Lifted Me" and "While the Feeling's Good." In the film Trackdown (1976), the song "Runaway Girl" was included. Rogers' second album, Kenny Rogers, was released in 1976, and it was their first hit, "Laura (What's He Ain't Got) was a solo hit.

Rogers' post-First Edition career was a huge success, reaching number one on the pop charts in 12 countries, selling over five million copies, and firmly establishing Rogers' post-First Edition career. Kenny Rogers' album "Lucille" debuted at No. 1 on the charts, with a rating of "Lucille" as the album's success. On the Billboard Country Album Chart, 1 is number one. More success was to come, including the multi-platinum selling album The Gambler and another international Number one single "Coward of the County," taken from Kenny's equally popular album. The Rogers/Butler relationship came to an end in 1980, although they would reunite later on the album If Only My Heart Had a Voice, which was released on 1990.

Rogers teamed up with close friend and Country Music legend Dottie West for a series of albums and duets in the late 1970s. Both the pair achieved two gold records (one of which went platinum later in life), two CMA Awards, an ACM nomination, two Grammy nominations, and 1 Music City News Award for their two hit albums Every Time Two Fools Collide (No. 6) (No. 1) and Classics (No. 1). 3), who has been selling out stadiums and arenas for many years, as well as appearing on several television specials that showcased them. Every Time Two Fools Collide" is a line that rhymes (No. "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" is the first character on "No. 1) "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" is the one who hasn't arrived. (No. 2) "What Are We Doing in Love" (No. (No. 1): "All I Ever Want Is You." 1) and "I'd Like To Make It On My Own" (No. 3) Both countries were established. In a 1995 TNN interview, Rogers said of West: "She, more than anyone else I ever worked with," she performed with such passion that you actually believed what she sang." Dottie West sang of words, and a lot of people sang of words. Rogers credited West with expanding and firmly establishing his career with Country Music audiences in 1978. In the same issue, West credited him with bringing her career to new audiences. Rogers was with West just hours before she died in a 1991 car crash after suffering injuries in his 1992 biography "Luck Or Something Like It." In 1995, he appeared as himself in the CBS biographical film Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story.

"Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" became a hit in 1980, according to a list he made as a duet with Kim Carnes. In her television music special "You and Me" with Lynda Carter earlier this year (Rogers performed this with Dottie West for the Every Time Two Fools Collide album). He began his friendship with Lionel Richie, who wrote and produced Rogers' No. "Lady" is the 1st hit on the radio. Richie went on to produce Rogers' 1981 album Share Your Love, a chart top and commercial favorite with hits including "I Don't Need You" (Pop No. 1). "Through the Years" is a film by Steven Coveney. (Pop No. (Pop No. 13) and "Share Your Love with Me" (Pop No. (14). That year, his first Christmas album was also released. Rogers' album Love Will Turn You Around was released in 1982. The album's title track debuted at No. 2. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and AC charts and the country and AC charts rank 13th on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Rogers' 1982 film Six Pack's theme tune. He began working with producer David Foster in 1983, a duet with Sheena Easton. It also ranked number one on the country charts, ranked in the top 30 on the British charts, and ranked as the No. 1 single on the country charts.

Rogers bought the old ABC Dunhill building in 1981 and built one of Los Angeles's most popular and state-of-the-art recording studios. There and at A & M Records, the song "We Are the World" was recorded.

Rogers continued to work with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees who produced his 1983 hit song Eyes in the Dark, which included the title song and another No. In a duet with Dolly Parton, 1 hit "Islands in the Stream." Gibb, along with his brothers, Robin and Maurice, wrote the song for Marvin Gaye in an R&B style, only later to change it for Rogers' album. Rogers' original intention was to collaborate with Gibb on a single song, but that was not surprising considering that she was only one of his songs. Gibb insisted on doing the entire album together.

Rogers' duet with Dolly Parton was the first single to be released from Eyes That See in the Dark in the United States, and it quickly went to No. 10. No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 (it will be the last country single to reach No. 1); The United States' first-ranked version of the chart before "Amazed" by Lonestar in 2000), as well as the top Billboard's country and adult contemporary singles charts, was awarded Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for exporting two million copies in the United States. Rogers will reunite with Parton in 1984 for a holiday album, Once Upon a Christmas (which resulted in a hit video of "Christmas Without You"), as well as a 1985 duet "Real Love," which also topped the US country singles chart. The two will continue to collaborate on occasional projects over the years, including "You Can't Make Old Friends," a 2013 duet hit.

Despite the success of "Islands in the Stream," RCA Records held on releasing Eyes' title track as the first UK single, despite the fact that the album stalled at No. 7. Although it did remain in the top 100 for several weeks, the 61st appeared on the top 100 for many weeks. (When it was eventually released in the United States, it was more popular, charting high on the Adult Contemporary chart and making the country top 30.) "Islands in the Stream" was released in the United Kingdom as a follow-up to a previous one and it did well, earning No. 1. 7. The album itself debuted at No. 1. On both directions of the Atlantic, the country charts have risen to a multi-million-dollar peak, with 1 on the country charts. "Buried Treasure," "This Woman," and "Midsummer Nights" were all chart-recording singles from the album.

The album What About Me?, a hit with a trio lead by James Ingram and Kim Carnes, was nominated for a Grammy Award; the single "Crazy" (not to be confused with Willie Nelson-penned Patsy Cline's hit) co-written with Richard Marx topped the country charts, just over a year. In his 1985 album The Heart of the Matter, David Foster was going to produce rather than producing, a job given to George Martin. This album was another smash, with a new contender going to No. 2. 1, with the title track ranked in the top ten category of the singles charts.

Rogers scored several top country hits over the next few years, including "Twenty Years Ago," "Morning Lust," and "Tomb of the Unknown Love," among others. Rogers was one of the 45 musicians to record the worldwide charity song "We Are the World" on January 28, 1985, to help hunger victims in Africa. He appeared at Giants Stadium the following year.

Rogers received a Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals" with Ronnie Milsap in 1988—"Make No Mistake, She Mine"; Rogers continued to chart with singles such as "The Factory" and "Crazy In Love," Kim Carnes' "If You Want To Find Love" and "The Greatest" in the 1990s. Christmas in America is Reprise Records' second Christmas album. Rogers appeared on A&E from 1991 to 1994, as well as on The History Channel from 1995 (Reruns only on The History Channel). During this time, he visited Miller's house. Rogers co-owned and headlined Branson, Missouri,'s 4,000 seat Grand Palace Theatre, from 1992 to 1995. Rogers' Timepiece, Atlantic Records' 1994 release of his "dream" album "Timepiece." It was based on 1930s/1940s jazz standards, the kind of music he heard in his early days with the Bobby Doyle Three in Houston.

Rogers' album Vote For Love, where the public requested their favorite love songs and Rogers performed the songs. (Several of his own hits were in the final version.) The album was the first for the QVC's onQ Music brand, which was released on QVC. The album, which was exclusive to QVC, was a huge success, and it was later released in stores under a variety of brand names. It hit the No. 1st. Love Songs (a term also used for various compilations) and has also migrated into the mainstream charts, placing it at number 1 in the UK country charts.

Rogers' single "The Greatest," a song about life from a child's viewpoint (looked at through a baseball game) debuted on Billboard's Country Singles chart in 1999 and became the first video to play in a country Music Television's Number One slot. It was on Rogers' album She Rides Wild Horses the following year (itself a top ten hit). Rogers wrote "We've Got It All" in 1999, especially for the ABC show Home Improvement's series finale. The album is not available on any album, but it does go for a good price at auction.

Rogers was back at No. 1 in the 21st century (and at age 61). With the 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose," the first time in more than a decade has been celebrated. In doing so, he tied for the first time by Hank Snow (who, in April 1974, was aged 59, when he scored "Hello Love" on his first appearance). Rogers held the record until 2003, when Willie Nelson, then 70, became the oldest artist to have a No. 67. With his duet with Toby Keith, "Beer for My Horses," the nation charts stand No. 1.

Although Rogers did not have new albums for a few years, he continued to have success in many countries with the highest hits packages. Ultimate Hits, the first hits collection to span his time with the First Edition to the present, debuted at number 6 on the American charts and went gold in 2004. "My World Is Over" with Whitney Duncan and "We Are the Same" were also included in the program. As a single and a minor hit, "My World Is Over" was released as a single. In 2005, The Very Best of Kenny Rogers, a double album, did well in Europe. Despite several compilations out there that were not true hits packages, it was the first new solo Rogers hits album to reach the United Kingdom for more than a decade.

Rogers has also signed with Capitol Records and had greater success with the introduction of 21 Number Ones in January 2006. Despite the fact that this CD contained 21 chart-toppers as the title states (recorded between 1976 and the present day), this was not a complete collection of Rogers' No. s. "Crazy in Love" and "What About Me" were among the singles omitting such singles as "Crazy in Love" and "What About Me?"

On the Capitol Nashville Records label, Congress followed 21 Number Ones from Rogers' latest studio album, Water & Bridges, in March 2006. "I Can't Unlove You," the album's first single, debuted at No. 1. The song remains on recurrent airplay on some radio stations today, with 17 on the country charts after spending over six months on the hit list more than five years after he formed his first band and 38 years as the first major hits as the leader of the First Edition. In September 2006, "I Can't Unlove You" was followed by the album's second single, "The Last Ten Years (Superman)". "Calling Me," Don Henley's third album, became very popular in early 2007, and it was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Also in 2007, Kenny Rogers' album was re-issued as a double CD, which also included the 1979 Kenny album, and Rogers' name was also on the sales charts around the world. Another compilation album (A Love Song Collection) debuted in the United States last year, and another compilation album (A Love Song Collection) debuted in the following year.

Rogers celebrated 50 years with Cracker Barrel stores on August 26, 2008. The album featured some of Rogers' greatest hits as well as three new ones. Rogers' 50th year in the music industry is included in the publication. After seeing prop Matt Stevens playing it in the team hotel, the England national rugby union team adopted Rogers' "The Gambler" as their unofficial 2007 Rugby World Cup anthem. Rogers sent video messages of support to the team ahead of their semi-finals against France and the final against South Africa, after they heard his song.

Rogers performed at his Christmas Exhibition in 2008. He split the show up, earning the first half of his "best of" and the second half of his Christmas songs. Rogers started his 50th anniversary Tour in 2009. The tour took place in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years was taped on April 10, 2010. During a show devoted to country, blues, and pop music, Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie were among those scheduled to perform with Rogers. It was held at the MGM Grand in Foxwoods. Gabriel Gornell and Colleen Seldin executive produced the TV special, which was broadcast on GAC in North America and BBC worldwide.

Rogers appeared at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 10, 2012, with the musical group Phish performing his hit song "The Gambler." On Richie's album Tuskegee, Rogers re-recorded the hit song "Lady" a duet with its songwriter Lionel Richie. "Lionel Richie & Friends" was also performed live at the 2012 ACM conference.

Rogers and Cowboy Jack Clement and Bobby Bare were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 on April 10, 2013. In June 2013, he appeared in the 'Legends' slot at the Glastonbury Festival in England.

Rogers released You Can't Make Old Friends, a new album released in 2013. The album featured the title track, a new duet with Dolly Parton, and was his first single appearance in six years.

Rogers has released 65 albums and has sold more than 165 million albums.

Rogers' last name, The Gambler's Last Deal, was revealed in 2015. He confirmed his intention to pull out of touring at the end of the tour, but he was considering recording another studio album. Rogers hinted at the time that his last tour appearance would be on NBC's Today show, in announcing the tour. Concert dates were scheduled through 2018 and included trips to the United States, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, England, and Switzerland. Rogers canceled his remaining tour as a result of a string of health issues on April 5, 2018.

Rogers' last performance in Nashville, England, took place on October 25, 2017. He was joined by an array of guest artists, including Linda Davis, Elle King, Little Big Town, Billy Currington, The Flaming Lips, The Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt, The Judds, Jonathan Moore, Jeffrey Lewis, The Judds, Joshua Moore, Kris Kristofferson, Benjamin Moore, Jeff Greystone, Billy Currington, Lewis Greenwood, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Judrob For the first time, Dolly Parton, a lifelong friend, serenaded Rogers with her signature "I Will Always Love You" and performed "You Can't Make Old Friends" and "Islands in the Stream" with Rogers.

Rogers had several session musicians on his albums, but he was also sponsored by the company Bloodline in 1976. The company began as a three-piece company. Rogers said he did not know singers who changed their touring band every year, and that he stuck with Bloodline because they already "know the songs." Steve Glassmeyer, Chuck Jacobs, Randy Dorman, Gene Golden, Bobby Daniels, Rick Harper, Edgar Struble, Lynn Hammann, Warren Hartman, Brian Sisk, Mike Benjamin, and Amber Randall are among Bloodline members.

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