Kenny Rogers, a Grammy Award winning musician, singer, and songwriter, was a legendary figure in the music industry. With over 120 hit singles and 200 weeks at the top of both country and pop charts, he was undeniably one of the highest-selling artists of all time. His talent and success were recognized by the ‘USA Today’ and ‘People’ magazine poll, which voted him the ‘Favorite Singer of All-Time’. In addition to his musical achievements, Rogers was also a multi-talented individual, excelling as a photographer, record producer, actor, entrepreneur, and author. He appeared in various movies and TV movies, authored several books, and even owned a restaurant chain. Kenny Rogers left an indelible mark on the music industry and will always be remembered as a true icon.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Kenneth Donald Rogers
- Died At Age: 81
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Wanda Miller (m. 1997), Janice Gordon (m. 1958–1960), Jean Rogers (m. 1960–1963), Margo Anderson (m. 1964–1976), Marianne Gordon (m. 1977–1993)
- Father: Edward Floyd Rogers
- Mother: Lucille
- Siblings: Barbara, Billy Rogers, Geraldine, Lelan Rogers, Randy Rogers, Roy Rogers, Sandy
- Children: Carole Rogers, Christopher Cody Rogers, Jordan Edward Rogers, Justin Charles Rogers, Kenny Rogers Jr.
- Born Country: United States
- Musicians
- Died on: March 20, 2020
- Place of Death: Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States
- Notable Alumni: Jefferson Davis High School, Northside High School, George Washington Junior High School, Wharton Elementary School
- Ancestry: Irish American
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes
- City: Houston, Texas
- U.S. State: Texas
- More Facts
- Education: University Of Houston, Wharton Elementary School, George Washington Junior High School, Jefferson Davis High School, Northside High School
Childhood & Early Life
Kenneth Ray ‘Kenny’ Rogers was born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas, to Edward Floyd Rogers, a carpenter, and Lucille Rogers, a nurse assistant. He was raised in poor circumstances in a federal housing project. He attended the Jefferson Davis High School in Houston and became the first member of his family to finish high school. It was in high school that he decided to pursue a career in music.
Career
In the mid-1950s, Kenny Rogers began his career in music with the band, ‘The Scholars’. The band gained prominence after releasing the single, ‘Poor Little Doggie’. He later became a part of the jazz group, ‘The Bobby Doyle Trio’, and worked for Columbia Records.
In 1966, he became a part of the American folk music group, ‘The New Christy Minstrels’. However, he was not satisfied with his association with the group as it did not offer him the success he desired. In 1967, he formed the group called, ‘The First Edition’, which later became ‘Kenny Rogers and The First Edition’. They released several hits that topped the pop and country charts.
In 1976, he left ‘The First Edition’ to begin a solo career. He released his first solo album titled, ‘Love Lifted Me’, in the same year. In 1977, he released his self-titled second studio album, ‘Kenny Rogers’, which was his first major solo success. He continued to release successful albums throughout the years, including ‘The Gambler’, ‘Kenny’, and ‘Gideon’.
In addition to his solo career, Kenny Rogers collaborated with various artists and released several duets. He also ventured into acting and photography.
Major Works
One of Kenny Rogers’ most popular albums is ‘The Gambler’, which peaked at the number one position on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums and the Canadian RPM Country Albums. Another successful album is ‘Kenny’, which also reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums, Canadian RPM Top Albums, and the Canadian RPM Country Albums.
Awards & Achievements
Kenny Rogers received the Grammy award for ‘Best Country Vocal Performance – Male’ in 1978 for ‘Lucille’ and in 1980 for ‘The Gambler’.
Personal Life & Legacy
Kenny Rogers was married five times, and all of his marriages ended in divorce. He fathered five children from his previous marriages. He died of natural causes at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on March 20, 2020.
Trivia
Kenny Rogers was not only a Grammy Award-winning singer but also an actor and a photographer. He was once invited to the White House to create a portrait of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.