Saturday, March 21, 2020

Kenny Rogers, Country Music Legend, Dies at 81

Kenny Rogers, the country music singer behind such hits as “The Gambler” and “Islands in the Stream,” has died. He was 81.

The singer’s death was announced via a statement on his official Twitter account late Friday evening.

“The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” the post read, accompanied by a picture of the Rogers, sporting his signature beard and standing in front of wall adorned with his chart-topping albums.

The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency.  They look forward to celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date.

Also Read: Lyle Waggoner, 'Carol Burnett Show' Star, Dies at 84

Rogers’ career spanned more than six decades, hitting its peak in the ’70s and ’80s. His chart-topping hits included “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands In The Stream” (with longtime collaborator Dolly Parton), “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me” and “Through the Years.” Rogers had with twenty-four number-one hits, was a Country Music Hall of Fame member, six-time CMA Awards winner, three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, recipient of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award honoree in 2015 and has been voted the “Favorite Singer of All Time” in a joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People.

In 2018, Rogers was in the midst of his farewell tour when his remaining dates were canceled due to “health challenges.”

“I didn’t want to take forever to retire,” Rogers said in his own statement at the time. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on ‘The Gambler’s Last Deal’ tour. 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.”

See the announcement below:

The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. https://t.co/adxAgiMW2s pic.twitter.com/nggWiiotMT

— Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) March 21, 2020

More to come…

Lindsey Renee Lagestee, Singer With Country Band Dixie Crush, Dies at 25

Daniel Lee Martin, Country Singer Accused of Child Sex Abuse, Dies at 54

Roy Clark, ‘Hee Haw’ Host and Country Music Legend, Dies at 85

Source: the wrap feed