Elected to America’s country music Hall of Fame, the worldwide revered singer, Kenny Rogers, was known throughout for standout hits which included the likes of; ‘The Gambler’, ‘Lucille’, ‘Lady’ and ‘Coward Of The County’.t
But he would probably be best known for his multi-award winning hit, with fellow Country music legend, Dolly Parton – ‘Islands In The Stream’ – which was written by Britain’s own multi-award winning superstar brothers the Bee Gees.
Released in 1983, from his (Kenny Rogers) album; ‘Eyes That See In The Dar’, the Platinum-winning song, which in fact, was written with Mowtown legend, Marvin Gaye, in mind, was voted as the best country music duet of all time.
Born in Houston, Texas, in the USA, the singer and songwriter, who also dueted with Scottish singing star Sheena Easton, as well as co-wrote with Mowtown superstar, Lionel Ritchie (who, himself, wrote the afore mentioned ‘Lady’), the three-time Grammy Award winner was also awarded with a special Lifetime Achievement award for his 6 decades-spanning career in the music industry.
On hearing of his death, Ritchie tweeted: ‘Today I have lost one of my closest friends.So much laughter, so many adventures to remember. My heart is broken…My pryers go out to Kenny’s family’.
“My heart is broken”, Parton said. “We all know that he (Kenny) is in a better place than us”
A hugely versatile character, he also made a name for himself as an actor in some leading films and television shows.
He was 81.