Afia Ohemeng
Grammy-winning country music legend with his signature gruff voice Kenny Rogers has died aged 81.
A representative of his estate said he
“passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family”.
Kenny Rogers was best-known for ballads including “The Gambler”, “Coward of the Country”, and “Lucille”.
PERSONAL LIFE
Rogers was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the fourth of eight children raised in a mostly poor household.
His love for music saw him form a group before he attended the University of Houston. Rogers was married five times and is survived by his wife Wanda and five children.
MUSIC CAREER
By 1976, he had begun his journey as a successful solo artist with his hit song Lucille. The song won the budding legend a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
In 2013, Kenny was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and later received a Lifetime Music Award from the Country Music Association.
He remained an active live performer until recently when he had some health scares which required him to spend time in hospitals.
His signature song, “The Gambler”, was added to the National Registry in 1978.
ACTING CAREER
He stepped into an acting career by playing Brady Hawkes in The Gambler for a 1994 series.
BUSINESS VENTURES
He launched a number of business ventures, including Kenny Rogers Roasters, a fast-food chain.
His memoir, Luck or Something Like It, was released in 2012.
He will be greatly missed by fellow country music legend Dolly Parton, with whom he enjoyed great chart successes with.
TRIBUTES TO KENNY ROGERS
RIP Kenny Rogers, 81.
What incredibly sad news.
One of the all-time great country music stars & an utterly charming man. pic.twitter.com/xtYLeWk3Me— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 21, 2020
The Best you can hope for is to die in your sleep ~ Kenny Rogers , Rest in peace the Legend of Country Music (video courtesy) #RIPKennyRogers pic.twitter.com/mvtHe3aJnK
— Mutai Bittoc 👑 (@Mutai_Bittoc) March 21, 2020
Singer Kenny Rogers has died at age 81. His legendary career spanned six decades with 24 number-one hit songs. https://t.co/k1Pt15QOGS pic.twitter.com/lnWkdwGNZh
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 21, 2020
You've got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em – Kenny Rogers#RIPKenny pic.twitter.com/s5MFyiMk1K
— Jordan Daley (@JDaIey) March 21, 2020
I asked Kenny Rogers which of his songs was his favourite.
He immediately said ‘Lady’ then corrected himself. ‘Actually, it would be We’ve Got Tonight.’
The lyrics seem apposite today: ‘We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? Let's make it last, let's find a way.’ pic.twitter.com/TuoMbXdALe— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 21, 2020
