Remembering Singer Legend Kenny Rogers On His 82nd Birthday
Aug 21, 2020 by apost team
The world is still mourning country musician Kenny Rogers since his death in March of this year and tomorrow would have been his 82nd birthday. In honor of the legendary singer, let's take a look at his life and career, and the many people he befriended along the way.
Photo by Kevin Winter/ACMA2012/Getty Images for ACM/GettyImages
A singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur, Kenny Rogers could do it all. Born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas, Kenny's music recording career began all the way back in the 1950s, moving between genres including rock and roll, psychedelic rock, and eventually country-pop. Rogers was in a couple of bands including The First Edition, before he branched out on his own in the mid-'70s, becoming a country-pop crossover sensation.
During his solo career, Kenny Rogers worked with some of the best musicians of the time including his dear friend Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, the Bee Gees, and others, but his solo success spoke for itself.
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His duet from 1983 with good friend Dolly Parton, Islands In the Stream, was a massive hit, and the pair of friends teamed up once again in 2013 for a song titled You Can't Make Old Friends. As one would imagine, Kenny's death earlier this year hit Dolly hard. She posted a video to her Twitter, speaking about her love for the late musician, captioning the post:
"You never know how much you love somebody until they’re gone. I’ve had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend."
Other famous friends who posted their own tributes include Billy Ray Cyrus, who shared a photo of Kenny, Dolly, Miley Cyrus, and himself, and wrote:
"No one bridged the gap between country and pop more often and better than Kenny Rogers. He will be missed, but his music and diverse style of storytelling will live on forever."
Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Country singer Reba McEntire shared her own tribute, posting a lovely black-and-white photo of the two with the caption:
"Kenny, Go rest high on that mountain. Please tell mama and daddy hi for me. Thank you for your friendship and your love. We are going to miss you but we are so happy you’re singing with the Angels in heaven. Can’t wait to see you again one of these days. Rest in peace my friend."
Not long after Kenny's death in March, country musicians Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker performed a touching tribute for ACM Presents: Our Country. The duo performed two of Kenny's hit songs, Lucille and The Gambler.
From the outpouring of love following his death, it's clear Kenny was a well-loved person, beyond his musical successes. Now, on his birthday, we're paying our respects to the legend, and no doubt his many friends and fans will be doing so as well. Rest in peace Kenny.
Were you a fan of Kenny Rogers? What are your favorite songs of his? Let us know in the comments, then be sure to pass this on to any country music fans you know.