SiriusXM Remembers Country Music Legend Kenny Rogers
The Country Music Hall of Fame member passed away from natural causes at the age of 81.
Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
SiriusXM is sad to report that country music icon and Hall of Fame member Kenny Rogers has passed away at the age of 81.
Born in Houston, TX, Rogers began playing music as a teenager, becoming a member of the folk revival group The New Christy Minstrels before forming a new group, The First Edition.
After disbanding The First Edition in 1976, Rogers launched his career as a solo artist and earned his first No. 1 with “Lucille” in 1977, followed by other massive crossover hits — like “Coward Of The County,” “The Gambler,” “Lady,” and, of course, his chart-topping duet with Dolly Parton, “Islands In The Stream.”
More hits and many industry honors followed, including GRAMMYs, Country Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and American Music Awards. He even acted in a series of TV movies based on his “The Gambler” character.
Rogers announced his retirement from music in 2015 and launched the Gambler’s Last Deal Tour, which concluded with an all-star tribute concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in October 2017.
Before retiring, however, Rogers visited the SiriusXM studios for an “Artist Confidential” special on Prime Country in 2013 and performed “Merica” from his final studio album, “You Can’t Make Old Friends.”
