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Artist:

Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers

Born:
Aug 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas

Representative Songs:

"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," "Reuben James," "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)"

Representative Albums:

21 Number Ones, 42 Ultimate Hits, Through the Years: A Retrospective

Similar Artists:

A Member of the Group:

The First Edition, The New Christy Minstrels

Performed Songs By:

Barry Etris, Hal Bynum, John Barlow Jarvis, Kin Vassy, Even Stevens, Michael Smotherman, Jeff Silbar, Mike Settle, Leo Robin, Mike Reid, Richard Marx, David Malloy, Debbie Hupp, Warren Hartman, Gene Golden, Steve Glassmeyer, Maurice Gibb, Dallas Frazier, Dave Ellingson, Steve Dorff, Roger Bowling, Bob Morrison, Steve Gibb, Gary Burr, Alex Harvey, Barry Gibb, Alexander Harvey, Billy Edd Wheeler, Don Schlitz, Eric Kaz, Robin Gibb, Lionel Richie, Dave Loggins, Kim Carnes, Larry Cansler, Mel Tillis, Mickey Newbury, Michael Martin Murphey, Kris Kristofferson, Mac Davis

Worked With:

Terry Williams, Paul Leim, Larry Butler, David Foster, Sheena Easton

Followers:

  • Alternative Name: Kenneth Donald Rogers
  • Genre: Country
  • Active: '60s - 2000s
  • Instruments: Vocals, Guitar, Bass

Biography

It took several tries before Kenny Rogers became a star. As a member of the First Edition (and the New Christy Minstrels before that), he shared in some million-sellers, among them "Reuben James" and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," an excellent Mel Tillis song about a disabled veteran. But superstardom lay ahead for this Texan, and it arrived in the late '70s. His experience with the two previous pop groups had prepared him well: he knew the easy listening audience was out there, and he supplied them with well done middle-of-the-road songs with a country flavor. Having gone solo, in 1976 Rogers charted with "Love Lifted Me." But it was with an outstanding song by writers Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum, "Lucille," that his star shot upward.

The rest (as they say) is history: award-winning duets with Dottie West and Dolly Parton, 12 TV specials, another song of the year with "The Gambler," "Daytime Friends," "Coward of the County," "We've Got Tonight," "Crazy," "Lady" (his first pop number one), etc., etc., etc. And that's just the musical side of Rogers. In 1980, the made-for-TV movie The Gambler blasted the competition, followed quickly by Coward of the County, then enough sequels to The Gambler to get him to Roman numeral IV. Throughout the '80s, Rogers remained a celebrity, even when his sales were declining. Even during the '90s, when he rarely charted, his name, face, and music were recognizable in a series of concerts, television specials, films, and even fast-food restaurants.

Like many country superstars, Rogers came from humble roots. Born in Houston, TX, Rogers and his seven siblings were raised in one of the poorest sections of town. Nevertheless, he progressed through high school, all the while learning how to play guitar and fiddle. When he was a senior, he played in a rockabilly band called the Scholars, who released three singles, including "Kangewah," which was written by Louella Parsons. Following his graduation, he released two singles, "We'll Always Fall in Love Again" and "For You Alone," on the local independent label Carlton. The B-side of the first single, "That Crazy Feeling," was popular enough to earn him a slot on American Bandstand. In 1959, he briefly attended the University of Texas, but he soon dropped out to play bass in the jazz combo the Bobby Doyle Three. While he was with the group, Rogers continued to explore other musical venues and played bass on Mickey Gilley's 1960 single "Is It Wrong." The Bobby Doyle Three released one album, In a Most Unusual Way, before Rogers left the group to play with the Kirby Stone Four. He didn't stay long with Stone and soon landed a solo record contract with Mercury.

Rogers released a handful of singles on Mercury, all of which failed. Once Mercury dropped the singer, he joined the New Christy Minstrels in 1966. He stayed with the folk group for a year, leaving with several other bandmembers -- Mike Settle, Terry Williams, and Thelma Lou Camacho -- in 1967 to form the First Edition. Adding drummer Mickey Jones, the First Edition signed with Reprise and recorded the pop-psychedelic single "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." The single became a hit early in 1968, climbing to number five. Within a year, the group was billed as Kenny Rogers & the First Edition, and in the summer of 1969, they had their second and final Top Ten hit, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." The country overtones of the single hinted at the direction Rogers was taking, as did the minor hit follow-up, "Ruben James." For the next two years, the First Edition bounced between country, pop, and mild psychedelia, scoring their last big hit with Mac Davis' "Something's Burning" in early 1970. By the end of 1972, the group had its own syndicated television show, but sales were drying up. They left Reprise the following year, signing to Rogers' new label, Jolly Rogers. None of their singles became major hits, though a version of Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again" reached the lower regions of the country charts late in 1973. Rogers left the group in 1974, and the band broke up the following year.

At the time the band broke up, Rogers was severely in debt and Jolly Rogers was out of business. In order to jump-start his career, he signed to United Artists in 1975, and with the help of producer Larry Butler, he devised an accessible, radio-ready, and immaculately crafted take on country-pop that leaned toward adult contemporary pop, not country. "Love Lifted Me," his debut single for the label, was a minor hit early in 1976, but it took a full year for Rogers to have a genuine breakthrough hit with "Lucille." Climbing to number one early in 1977, "Lucille" not only was a major country hit, earning the Country Music Association's Single of the Year award, but it also was a huge crossover success, peaking at number five on the pop charts. For the next six years, Rogers had a steady string of Top Ten hits on both the country and pop charts.

His crossover success is important -- his lush, easy listening productions and smooth croons showed that country stars could conquer the pop audience, if produced and marketed correctly. During the late '70s and early '80s, much of country radio was dominated either by urban cowboy or country-pop in the vein of Rogers' own singles. Between 1978 and 1980, he had five straight number one country singles -- "Love or Something Like It," "The Gambler," "She Believes in Me," "You Decorated My Life," "Coward of the County" -- most of which also reached the pop Top Ten. In addition to his solo hits, he had a series of Top Ten duets with Dottie West, including the number one hits "Every Time Two Fools Collide" (1978), "All I Ever Need Is You" (1979), and "What Are We Doin' in Love" (1981). Not only did his singles sell well, but so did his albums, with every record he released between 1976's Kenny Rogers and 1984's Once Upon a Christmas going gold or platinum.

By the beginning of the '80s, Rogers' audience was as much pop as it was country, and singles like his cover of Lionel Richie's "Lady" confirmed that fact, spending six weeks at the top of the pop charts. Rogers also began performing duets with pop singers like Kim Carnes ("Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer," number three country, number four pop, 1980) and Sheena Easton ("We've Got Tonight," number one country, number six pop, 1983). Rogers also began making inroads into television and film, appearing in a number of TV specials and made-for-TV movies, including 1982's Six Pack and two movies based on his songs "The Gambler" and "Coward of the County." Late in 1983, he left United Artists/Liberty for RCA Records, releasing a duet with Dolly Parton called "Islands in the Stream" as his first single for the label. Written by the Bee Gees and produced by Barry Gibb, the record became one of his biggest hits, spending two weeks on the top of both the country and pop charts.

Rogers stayed at RCA for five years, during which time he alternated between MOR, adult contemporary pop, and slick country-pop. The hits didn't come as often as they used to, and they were frequently competing with releases from Liberty's vaults, but he managed to log five number one singles for the label, in addition to "Islands in the Stream": "Crazy" (1984), "Real Love" (1985), "Morning Desire" (1985), "Tomb of the Unknown Love" (1986), and the Ronnie Milsap duet "Make No Mistake, She's Mine" (1987). Despite his country successes, he no longer had pop crossover hits. Nevertheless, Rogers' concerts continued to be popular, as did his made-for-TV movies. Still, the lack of blockbuster records meant that RCA failed to renew his contract when it expired in 1988. Rogers returned to his first label, Reprise, where he had one major hit -- 1989's Top Ten "The Vows Go Unbroken (Always True to You)," taken from the gold album Something Inside So Strong -- before his singles started charting in the lower half of the Top 40.

Throughout the late '80s and '90s, Rogers kept busy with charity work, concerts, his fast-food chain Kenny Rogers' Roasters, television specials, movies, and photography, publishing no less than two books, Kenny Rogers' America and Kenny Rogers: Your Friends and Mine, of his photos. Rogers continued to record, releasing albums nearly every year, but they failed to break beyond his large, devoted fan base and only made a slight impact on the charts. With 1998's Christmas from the Heart, he established his own record label, Dreamcatcher; She Rides Wild Horses followed a year later, and There You Go Again was issued in mid-2000. A&E Live by Request appeared in 2001, followed by Back to the Well in 2003, Me & Bobby McGee in 2004, and Water & Bridges in 2006. ~ David Vinopal & Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
 
 
Discography: Kenny Rogers

Christmas Collection

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Water & Bridges

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American Classic Songbook [Artemis]

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21 Number Ones

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Legends: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition

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The Best of Kenny Rogers [Capitol 2005]

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Something's Burnin' [Masked Weasel]

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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kenny Rogers

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Anthology [Cleopatra]

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42 Ultimate Hits

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For the Good Times [Park South]

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Greatest Country Hits, Vol. 2

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The Best of Kenny Rogers [Madacy]

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Kenny Rogers [LaserLight]

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Christmas Greetings

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There You Go Again

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Islands in the Stream: The Greatest Hits 1983-1988

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She Rides Wild Horses

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A&E Biography

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Through the Years: A Retrospective

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Kenny Rogers [Classic World]

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Christmas from the Heart

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Across My Heart

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Decade of Hits

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The Gift

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Kenny Rogers & The First Edition Greatest Hits [Hip-O]

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Christmas Wishes

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20 Greatest Hits [Big Country]

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Every Time Two Fools Collide: The Best of Kenny Rogers & Dottie West

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If Only My Heart Had a Voice

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All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1

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The Best of Kenny Rogers [Cema]

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Love Songs [Universal]

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At Their Best

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Featuring the Songs of Kenny Rogers & First Edition

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Greatest Country Hits

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20 Great Years

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All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 2

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Lucille & Other Classic

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Something Inside So Strong

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25 Greatest Hits

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They Don't Make Them Like They Used To

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Heart of the Matter

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Duets

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Eyes That See in the Dark

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We've Got Tonight

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Christmas [EMI]

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Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits [EMI America]

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Kenny

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Ten Years of Gold [EMI-Capitol Special Markets]

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Actor:

Kenny Rogers

  • Born: Aug 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '80s-'90s
  • Major Genres: Drama, History
  • Career Highlights: Tough Guys, Rio Diablo, The Dream Makers
  • First Major Screen Credit: Fools (1970)

Biography

Bearded, amiable American singer/actor Kenny Rogers launched his professional career as a member of the New Christy Minstrels, then first rose to fame as a member of the country-pop group the First Edition. After several years of hits like "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (as well as popular syndicated TV series Rollin' on the River), the First Edition broke up in 1974. Rogers had some lean years immediately after the split, at one point making ends meet by promoting a correspondence school guitar course. The outlook became brighter in 1976 when Rogers recorded his first solo hit, "Love Lifted Me," which he followed up with the even more popular ballad "Lucille." He regained his following with a dozen TV specials and several duets with equally renowned female country artists. In 1980, Rogers made his TV-movie debut with The Gambler (1980), an agreeable Western based on one of his more successful songs ("You gotta know when to hold 'em/know when to fold 'em...etc."). The Gambler scored an immediate ratings coup, inspiring sequels over the next decade, the best of which was The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991), which had the added drawing card of guest appearances by several popular TV cowboy stars of days gone by. Rogers also pleased the crowd with the made-for-TV Coward of the County (1981), a dramatized elaboration of another of his top-selling songs. Less successful was Kenny Rogers' starring theatrical feature, Six Pack (1982), which proves that having six cute kids onscreen doesn't make you a Disney-quality hit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

 
Quotes By: Kenny Rogers

Quotes:

"You've got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em know when to walk away, know when to run."

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great."

 
Wikipedia: Kenny Rogers
For the MLB Detroit Tigers' pitcher, see Kenny Rogers (baseball).
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers in concert at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California on September 27, 2006.
Kenny Rogers in concert at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California on September 27, 2006.
Background information
Birth name Kenneth Donald Rogers
Born August 21 1938 (1938--) (age 69)
Origin Houston, Texas, USA
Genre(s) Country Music
Pop Music
Occupation(s) country singer/pop singer/songwriter/actor/record producer
Instrument(s) Bass Guitar
Years active 1958Present
Label(s) Cue Records, Carlton Records, Mercury Records, United Artists Records, RCA Records, Giant Records, Atlantic Records, Dreamcatcher, Capitol Records
Associated
acts
Glen Campbell, Don Henley, Dolly Parton, The Eagles, Dottie West
Website www.kennyrogers.com

Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman.

He has been very successful, charting more than 70 hit singles across various music genres and topping the country and pop album charts for more than 420 individual weeks in the United States alone.

Two of his albums, The Gambler and Kenny are featured in the About.com poll of "The 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever".[1] He was voted the "Favorite Singer of All-Time", in a 1986 joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People. [2]

He has received hundreds of awards for both his music and charity work. These include AMAs, Grammys, ACMs and CMAs, as well as a lifetime achievement award for a career spanning six decades in 2003.[3]

Success in recent years include the 2006 album release, Water & Bridges, an across the board hit, that peaked at #5 in the Billboard Country Albums sales charts, also charting high in the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, "I Can't Unlove You," was also a chart hit. Remaining A popular entertainer around the world, the following year he completed a tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland telling BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright, his favorite hit of his was "The Gambler".

Hes also starred as John J. Macshayne in MacShayne: Winner Takes All and MacShayne: The Final Roll of the Dice.

Biography

Early life and career

Kenny Rogers was the fourth of seven children born to Floyd Rogers, a carpenter, and his wife Lucille, a nurse. Rogers graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in Houston. According to the Texas birth records, his middle given name is Ray and he is sometimes credited in his film roles as "Kenneth Ray Rogers."

His career began in the mid-1950s, when he recorded with a doo-wop group called The Scholars who had some success with a single called "Poor Little Doggie". Rogers was not the lead singer of the group and after two more singles they disbanded when their leader went solo.

Now on his own, Kenneth Rogers (as he was billed then) followed the break up with his own single, a minor solo hit called "That Crazy Feeling" (1958). After sales slowed down, Rogers joined a jazz group called The Bobby Doyle Trio, who got a lot of work in clubs thanks to a reasonable fan following and also recorded for Columbia records. The group disbanded in 1965, and a 1966 jazzy rock single Rogers recorded for Mercury, called "Here's That Rainy Day" failed. In 1966 he joined the New Christy Minstrels.

Feeling that the Minstrels were not offering the success they wanted, Rogers left with fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho. They formed The First Edition in 1967 (later renamed "Kenny Rogers and The First Edition"). They chalked up a string of hits on both the pop and country charts, including "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", "Reuben James" and "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." In his First Edition days, Rogers had something of a hippie image, with long brown hair, an earring, and pink sunglasses. Known affectionately in retrospect as "Hippie Kenny", Rogers had a much smoother vocal style than in his later career.

When the group split in 1976, Rogers launched his solo career. Rogers soon developed a more middle of the road sound, with a somewhat rough but tuneful voiced style that sold to both pop and country audiences; to date, he has charted more than 60 top 40 hit singles (including upwards of 25 #1's) and 50 of his albums have charted. His music has also been featured in top selling movie soundtracks, such as Convoy, Urban Cowboy and The Big Lebowski.

Solo Artist

After leaving The First Edition in 1976, after almost a decade with the group, Rogers signed a solo deal with United Artists. Although producer Larry Butler had no doubts about Rogers' talent, he was advised by several colleagues not to sign Rogers, who some saw as a has-been. Nevertheless, Butler and Rogers began a partnership that would run for four consecutive years.

Rogers first outing for his new label was Love Lifted Me. The album charted and two singles "Love Lifted Me" and "While The Feeling's Good" were minor hits. The song "Runaway Girl" was featured in the motion picture "Trackdown". Later in 1976, Rogers issued his second album, the self-titled Kenny Rogers, whose first single "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)", was another solo hit. "Nobody wins in the dairy challenge.."

However, the single "Lucille" (1977) was a major hit, reaching number one on the pop charts in 12 countries, selling over five million copies, and firmly establishing Rogers' post-First Edition career. On the strength of "Lucille", the album Kenny Rogers reached #1 in the Billboard Country Album Chart. More success was to follow, including the multi-million selling album The Gambler and another international Number 1 single, "Coward of the County", taken from the equally successful album, Kenny. In 1980, the Rogers/Butler partnership came to an end, though they would occasionally reunite: in 1987 on the album I Prefer The Moonlight and again in 1993 on the album If Only My Heart Had A Voice.

In the late 1970s Kenny teamed up with close friend and country singer Dottie West for a series of albums and duets. Together the duo had three hit albums, selling out stadiums and arenas while on tour. Their hits together "Every Time Two Fools Collide", "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" and "What Are We Doin' In Love" became Country standards. Of West, Kenny stated in a 1995 TNN interview "She, more than anybody else I ever worked with sang with such emotion that you actually believed what she sang." Rogers was with West when she died after sustaining injuries in a 1991 car accident. In 1995 he starred opposite Michele Lee in the CBS biopic "Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story".

Later in 1980 came his partnership with Lionel Richie who wrote and produced Rogers' #1 hit "Lady". Richie went on to write and produce Rogers' 1981 album Share Your Love, a chart topper and commercial favorite featuring hits such as "I Don't Need You" and "Through The Years".

He went on to work with the Bee Gees to record and produce his 1983 hit album Eyes That See in the Dark, featuring the title track and yet another #1 hit "Islands in the Stream," a duet with country singer Dolly Parton. The Bee Gees had originally written the song for Diana Ross [citation needed]. The partnership with Bee Gees only lasted one album, which was not a surprise considering that Rogers' original intentions were to work with Barry Gibb in only one song but Barry insisted on them doing the entire album.

"Islands in the Stream", the first single to be released from Eyes That See in the Dark in the United States, quickly went to #1 in the Billboard Hot 100. It was the last country single to reach #1 on that chart until "Amazed" by Lonestar did so in 2000. However, RCA insisted on releasing the title track as the first UK single, and the song stalled at a disappointing #61 there, although it did stay in the top 100 for several weeks (when it was eventually released in the US, it was more successful, charting high on the Adult Contemporary chart). "Islands in the Stream" was issued as a follow up single in Britain and sold well, making #7. The album itself reached #1 on the country charts on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed multi-million sales.

Kenny Rogers started working with producer David Foster in 1983 recording the smash Bob Seger cover "We've Got Tonight", a duet with Sheena Easton. Shortly afterwards came the album What About Me?, a hit whose title track, a trio performance featuring Rogers, James Ingram and Kim Carnes, was also a hit. David Foster was to work again with Kenny Rogers in his 1985 album The Heart of the Matter, although this time Foster was playing backing music rather than producing, a role given to George Martin. This album was another success, going to #1, with the title track making to the top ten category in the singles charts.

On 28 January 1985 Rogers was one of the 45 artists who recorded the worldwide charity song "We Are the World to support hunger victims in Africa. On January 1987, Kenny Rogers co-hosted the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Through 1988 to 1990, Kenny Rogers had reached the pinnacle of his career and new artists like Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson were emerging with a frightening force. During that time, he released some albums but, while he still made the top 20, he was no longer the heavy hitter he had been previously.

Outside music

Rogers also had success as an actor. His 1982 movie Six Pack, in which he played a race-car driver, took more than $20 million at the US box office, while made-for-TV movies such as The Gambler, Christmas in America, and Coward of the County (based on hit songs of his) topped ratings lists. As an entrepreneur, he collaborated with former Kentucky Fried Chicken CEO John Y. Brown, Jr. in 1991 to start up the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters. The chicken and ribs chain, which is similar to Boston Market, was famously featured in an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld called "The Chicken Roaster,". On the November 27, 1997, broadcast of Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Rogers could not pick his chicken out in a taste test, claiming he preferred "greasy burgers."

Kenny Rogers and his restaurant were subjects of comedy from MADtv, especially the impersonation done by Will Sasso; the skit of the faux-Rogers hosting Jackass became popular on the Internet. Sasso had him making noises such as "Ding Ding Ding Di da Ding Ding Ding" and getting sloppily drunk.

Kenny is also the inspiration behind one of the most popular pop culture websites on the Internet, MenWhoLookLikeKennyRogers.com (see link at bottom of page). The site features close to a thousand photos of men who look like the real Kenny Rogers, as well as tips on how to look like Kenny, places to spot Kenny look-alikes, and even a Kenny of the Month and sells t-shirts and buttons. Kenny himself has even gone on the record with his favorite "Kennys" on the site (Hot Tub Kenny being his favorite) and the site has been featured in Time, People, Esquire, The National Enquirer, and many, many more.

Worldwide success

His success is worldwide. For example, he has played many well-attended concerts in Europe and the Far East, where he has charted numerous singles and albums from the 1970s through to the present day. New Zealand was a big stronghold during his First Edition days. His 1985 greatest-hits package, The Kenny Rogers Story, reached #1 on the British country chart — and four years later (in 1989), was still at #2. He also charted internationally during that time with a series of studio albums.

In 1983, Rogers signed to RCA for a record breaking US$20 million advance. Although, following the success of his label debut, the Bee Gees produced Eyes That See in the Dark album, Rogers wasn't doing as well as in previous years. Nonetheless, he was still among the world's top stars. Between 1983 and 1990 alone he charted no less than 23 top 40 singles and 10 top 40 albums.

Although in the 1990s with the emergence of Garth Brooks, it was noted that this new talent was selling records like no one else had ever in country music, Rogers was nonetheless a dominant force in mainstream music and at his height, was charting singles (and albums) which were racing up the top 40 on the pop charts around the world, songs like "Lucille", "Coward of the County", "The Gambler" and "Lady" became favorites and have remained such, making Rogers one of the most popular entertainers on the touring circuit.

Success in the 1990s

In the 1990s Rogers continued to chart with singles such as "Crazy In Love", "If You Want To Find Love" and "The Greatest". From 1991 to 1994, Rogers hosted The Real West on A&E, and on The History Channel since 1995 (Reruns only on The History Channel.). He also visited Miller's during this time period. In 1994, Rogers released his "dream" album titled Timepiece on Atlantic Records. It consisted of 30's and 40's jazz standards; it was the type of music he performed in his early days with The Bobby Doyle Three in Houston. In 1996 he released an album Vote For Love where the public requested their favorite love songs and Kenny performed the songs (several of his own hits were in there). The album was the first for the TV shopping channel QVC's record label, onQ Music. The album, sold exclusively by QVC, was a huge success and was later issued in stores under a variety of different titles. It reached #1 in the UK country charts under the title Love Songs (a title also used for various compilations) and also crossed over into the mainstream charts.

In 1999 Rogers scored with the single "The Greatest". A song about life from a child's point of view (looked at through a baseball game). The song reached the top 40 of Billboard's Country singles chart and was a Country Music Television Number One video. It was on the Rogers' album "She Rides Wild Horses" the following year (itself a top 10 success).

He has been married five times. His fourth wife was the actress Marianne Gordon Rogers. His current wife is the former Wanda Miller. He has a daughter and four sons, including twins born while Rogers was 65.

Beyond the 1990s

Kenny Rogers is one of the most popular entertainers of the last five decades.
Enlarge
Kenny Rogers is one of the most popular entertainers of the last five decades.

In the 21st century, Rogers was back at #1 for the first time in almost a decade with the 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose", making him, at 61, the oldest artist in the history of country music to reach the chart summit. In doing so, he broke a 26-year-old record held by Hank Snow (who, in April 1974, was 59 years and 11 months old when he scored with "Hello Love"). Rogers held the record until 2003, when 70-year-old Willie Nelson became the oldest artist to have a No. 1 on the country charts with his duet with Toby Keith, "Beer For My Horses."

Rogers also released the critically acclaimed album Back to the Well.

Although Rogers didn't record new albums for a couple of years, he continued to have success in many countries with more greatest hits packages. In 2004 42 Ultimate Hits, which was the first hits collection to span his days with the First Edition to the present, reached Number 6 on the American country charts and went gold. It also featured two new songs, "My World is Over" with Whitney Duncan and "We Are the Same". "My World is Over" was released as a single and was a minor hit. In 2005 The Very Best of Kenny Rogers, a double album, sold well in Europe. It was the first new solo Kenny Rogers hits album to reach the United Kingdom for over a decade, despite many compilations there that were not true hits packages.

Rogers also signed with Capitol Nashville Records and had more success with the TV advertised release 21 Number Ones in January 2006. Although this CD did contain 21 chart-toppers as the title claims (recorded between 1976 and the present day), this was not a complete collection of Rogers' #1 singles, omitting such singles as "Crazy in Love" and "What About Me?"

Much of his success was with Capitol from 1976 to 1983 (called United Artists/Liberty at the time). It is very rare for an artist of Rogers' age to be signed to a major label. Capitol followed 21 Number Ones with Rogers' new studio album, Water And Bridges, in March 2006 on the Capitol Nashville label. The first single from the album was "I Can't Unlove You" which peaked at #17 on the country charts, after spending over 6 months on the hit list, more than 50 years after he formed his first group and 38 years after his first major hit as leader of The First Edition. "I Can't Unlove You" was followed up with the second single from the album, "The Last Ten Years (Superman)," in September 2006. The third single, "Calling Me," which features Don Henley, became popular in early 2007, and was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Also in 2007, the 1977 "Kenny Rogers" album was re-issued as a double play CD, also featuring the 1979 "Kenny" album and this once again put Kenny's name into the sales charts world-wide. He currently lives in Atlanta.

Discography

For a list of singles and albums, see Kenny Rogers discography.

Awards

  • 2005: CMT — Favorite All-Time Country Duet ("Islands in the Stream" with Dolly Parton)
  • 2004: CMT — "Ruby Don't Take your Love To Town" — Greatest Cheating Song #6.
  • 2003: International Entertainment Buyers Association — Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2003: CMT — Greatest Male Artist #19.
  • 2003: CMT — "The Gambler" Greatest Song #26.
  • 1999: BBC — Greatest Country Singer #2
  • 2000: Country Weekly Presents the TNN Music Awards — Career Achievement Award
  • 1988: Grammy — Best Country Vocal Performance, Duet
  • 1986 USA Today/ People — Favorite Singer Of All-Time
  • 1985: American Music Awards — Favorite Album
  • 1985: American Music Awards — Favorite Male Artist
  • 1983: Academy of Country Music — Single of the Year
  • 1983: Academy of Country Music — Top Vocal Duet
  • 1983: American Music Awards — Favorite Male Artist
  • 1983: American Music Awards — Favorite Single
  • 1983: ASCAP — Song of the Year
  • 1982: American Music Awards — Favorite Album
  • 1981: American Music Awards — Favorite Album
  • 1981: American Music Awards — Favorite Male Artist
  • 1981: American Music Awards — Favorite Single
  • 1980: American Music Awards — Favorite Album
  • 1980: American Music Awards — Favorite Male Artist
  • 1980: Music City News Country — Single of the Year
  • 1979: American Music Awards — Favorite Album
  • 1979: American Music Awards — Favorite Male Artist
  • 1979: CMA — Album of the Year
  • 1979: CMA — Male Vocalist of the Year
  • 1979: CMA — Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1979: Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance ("The Gambler")
  • 1979: Music City News Country — Male Artist of the Year
  • 1979: Music City News Country — Single of the Year
  • 1978: Academy of Country Music — Entertainer of the Year
  • 1978: Academy of Country Music — Top Male Vocalist
  • 1978: American Music Awards — Favorite Single
  • 1978: CMA — Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1977: Academy of Country Music — Album of the Year
  • 1977: