Kenny Rogers passed away yesterday at the age of 81 from natural causes in home hospice.
The singer got his big break in 1966 with the folk group New Christy Minstrels. When they broke up in 1974, he went solo and had a huge career as a Country star.
He had 24 #1 hits including Lady, Lucille, She Believes In Me, and Through the Years. One of his biggest hits was Islands in the Stream with Dolly Parton. The two recorded several duets together.
His biggest song is The Gambler and it spawned five telemovies. It was just one of the few movies he starred in throughout his career.
It wasn’t all entertainment for him, in 1991 he opened Kenny Rogers Roasters, a fast food chicken joint that was actually quite yummy.
He was the first Country artist I ever listened to, and I will remember his music with a smile. Today, let’s remember The Gambler by listening to his many great tunes with a big old smile on his face.
