Country music icon Kenny Rogers has died at the age of 81. According to the family, he passed away Friday night from natural causes while under hospice care and surrounded by family.
Read the full statement from the star’s publicist, Keith Hagan, below:
“The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family.
In a career that spanned more than six decades, Kenny Rogers left an indelible mark on the history of American music. His songs have endeared music lovers and touched the lives of millions around the world. Chart-topping hits like ‘The Gambler,’ ‘Lady,’ ‘Islands In The Stream,’ ‘Lucille,’ ‘She Believes In Me,’ and ‘Through the Years’ are just a handful of Kenny Rogers’ songs that have inspired generations of artists and fans alike. Rogers, with twenty-four number-one hits, was a Country Music Hall of Fame member, six-time CMA Awards winner, three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, recipient of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award honoree in 2015 and has been voted the ‘Favorite Singer of All Time’in a joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People.
The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date.”
Our hearts go out to his wife Wanda Miller Rogers and their twin teenage sons, Justin and Jordan, plus Kenny’s three adult children— Kenny Jr., Christopher, and Carole— from his previous marriage to Marianne Gordon.
Share this news with other country music fans. Rest in Peace, Kenny Rogers.
“Lady” Lyrics
Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I’m yours
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
You have gone and made me such a fool
I’m so lost in your love
And oh, girl we belong together
Won’t you believe in my song?
Lady, for so many years I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and, made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear
In my eyes I see no one else but you
There’s no other love like our love
Oh yes, girl I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long
Oh, lady, your love’s the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
‘Cause, my love, my love, there’s somethin’ I want you to know
You’re the love of my life, of my life, you’re my lady
You’re my lady
