Rogers' family plans a small, private service out of concern for the coronavirus pandemic, "but look forward to celebrating the life of Kenny Rogers publicly with his friends and fans at a later date," his publicist's statement said. "I've been so lucky to have enjoyed such a long career and to have such amazing support from my fans and all who have helped me along the way, but there comes a time when I need to focus on spending time with my family," he had said, "My life is about my wife and my 11-year-old twin boys right now. Debates Can Shake Up an Election.

With fellow Minstrels Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho, Rogers founded the rock-leaning group the First Edition in 1967.

Feeling that the Minstrels didn’t deliver the popularity they desired, Rogers and fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho left the group in 1967 (later renamed “Kenny Rogers and the First Edition”). I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they’ve given me throughout my career and the happiness I’ve experienced as a result of that.”. A year later, according to his website, he co-chaired "Hands Across America," a campaign which sought to raise awareness about the homeless and hungry in the US. He grew up in public housing with seven brothers, before becoming one of his generation’s most influential country musicians. 6 on the pop chart.

Today I lost one of my closest friends So much laughter so many adventures to remember, my heart is broken... My prayers go out to Kenny's Family. pic.twitter.com/2lbwFffeYq, You never know how much you love somebody until they're gone. He issued a memoir, “Luck or Something Like It,” in 2012, and a novel, “What Are the Chances,” in 2013.

Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! He had a minor solo hit, “The Mad Feeling” in 1957.

1 greatest hits set in 1980, Rogers’ hits of the decade for Liberty and RCA found him moving increasingly into pop terrain and focusing on romantic balladry. (CNN)Kenny Rogers, whose legendary music career spanned six decades, has died at the age of 81, his publicist Keith Hagan told CNN. 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. So, yes ... somewhere in the darkness, the Gambler broke way more than even. The First Edition’s fortunes began to wane in the early ’70s, and Rogers signed a solo deal with UA in 1976. From left: Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager and Rogers record music for the film "Tough Guys" in 1986. Waiting for your permission to load the comments. Tributes to the country singer poured in from fans and musical artists. ", He last performed onstage in 2018 as part of a world farewell tour that began two years prior. He canceled his last few shows due to "a series of health challenges. But Does Record Early Voting Mean This One Is Too Late? © 2020 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC.

Rogers passed away peacefully … Merry Christmas from me and my family to you and yours! ", John King: The map gives Trump and Biden these options, Listen to Biden's new answer on question of court packing, First-time jobless claims drop to 787,000, African American voter turnout is key for Biden here, Clapper: America is a 'ripe target' for disinformation, 'Shoddy' coronavirus study linked to Steve Bannon, India sees increase in child trafficking amid pandemic, Voters receive threatening emails to vote for Trump, Officer involved with Breonna Taylor shooting says it was 'not a race thing', Trump says Dr. Fauci is not a 'team player', She lost her husband to Covid-19. Wanda, who is his junior for 28 years, was unable to believe it, and thought it was a joke, and threw away his number.

Rogers parlayed his music success into a successful side career as an actor. Rogers’ signature song “The Gambler” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2018. He took to the guitar as an adolescent, and would sometimes perform with another aspiring local musician and future star, Mickey Gilley. 5, respectively, on the pop album charts. It also reaped a Grammy for best country vocal duet performance. On the heels of a No. 16 pop in 1978) and the backwoods narrative “Coward of the County” (also No. © 2020 E! Rogers, who won three Grammy Awards and six CMA Awards, began his music career in the '50s as a member of a jazz trio and became a solo artist in the '70s. His family issued an official statement late Friday afternoon.

“I came into country music not trying to change country music but trying to survive,” he said in a 2016 interview with CMT.com. In the new millennium, sporadic releases on a number of independent labels and majors Capitol Nashville and Warner Bros. Nashville performed respectably on the country album charts but produced no major hits. The number became Rogers’ first No. "Country Music has lost the great Kenny Rogers, who has forever left a mark on Country Music's history," the Country Music Association, Some of his hits included "Lady," "Lucille," "We've Got Tonight" and "Through the Years.". Rogers opens an exhibit of his photographs in 1986. Country music legend Kenny Rogers died Friday evening at his home, surrounded by his family. Lionel Richie, a longtime friend and the writer and producer of "Lady," shared his grief with fans. From the ’90s forward, as he maintained a busy touring schedule, Rogers increasingly turned his attention to various entrepreneurial enterprises, opening a chain of fast-food chicken outlets, Kenny Rogers Roasters, and a Sprint car manufacturing firm, Gamblers Chassis.

Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association the same year. The iconic singer was born and raised in Houston, and was the 4th of 8 children. He canceled his last few shows due to "a series of health challenges.

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All rights reserved. https://www.eonline.com/news/1133170/kenny-rogers-dead-at-age-81 Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and ​celebrity gossip. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time.". While the nation is in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 did not cause him to die. In addition to his sterling career on the mic, Kenny also dabbled in acting, appearing in movies and on TV. ', ... By N.C. Man Arrested with Guns, Explosives. I had the pleasure of working with him over the years and I'll always remember his graciousness and kind heart.

Top Stories. In October 1960, Rogers married Jean Rogers and divorced her in 1963.