Kenny Rogers.. the Gambler

Kenny Rogers was born in Houston Texas in 1938 and has had a long career, as a singer and musician.  A year or so ago, he did his Farewell Tour... I was unable to attend his concerts in the UK….which I regret very much….

His family were not very well off, and he grew up in a poor community.  Like many country singers, he showed early talent and played music as a boy.  After school, he began to sing with a jazz band.  In the early 60s he sang with the folk singing New Christy Minstrels, and after a few years, ended up in Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, which sang a mixture of soft rock, pop and country.   This band was very popular in the early 1970s, and Kenny had a big hit with “Ruby Don’t take your Love to Town”, written by Mel Tillis.   Kenny’s laid back style and charm sometimes obscures the fact that some of his songs cover very edgy material.  “Ruby” is about a wheelchair bound veteran, angrily and sadly begging his wife not to be unfaithful to him.

The First Edition began to lose popularity in the mid-70s, but Kenny did not let it stop him working. He married again to a girl from the country show Hee Haw… Kenny’s love life has been turbulent at times... and he has been married several times and had several children.

In 1977, he had another massive hit with Lucille which was an immensely popular song, and sold over 4 million copies.  Again, it is about a tragic situation... a hard working impoverished farmer trying to persuade his wife to return to him, when she has gone off with another man, because she “finally quit living on dreams…”

After that, he teamed up with his good friend, singer Dottie West, for several duets, which were also big sellers, including “Every time 2 fools collide.”

In the early 80s, he duetted with Dolly Parton – one of their songs was Islands in the Stream, and the 2 of them had great chemistry…as singing partners… His other big hits included the Gambler and Coward of the County.    He also used the character of the Gambler in 4 TV Movies. He has now had a good deal of fame as an actor, like many singers.  Another of his songs that was used as the story for a movie was Coward of the County. 

Kenny’s interests have extended beyond singing and acting and producing records... He also has a passion for photography, and what was a hobby has also become part of his working life, with the publication of books of his photographs.   He has also become a business man, with a chain of fast food restaurants and a line of western type clothing.  Now he is 80, with some health problems and is resting on his laurels…