What a great storyteller this guy was. He didn't write the songs, but Lord could he sing them. I loved his old songs -- he was one of the few artists I would kick back as a kid and actually listen to the lyrics of the song. Coward of the County damn near made me shed a tear as a kid. The story in that song keeps building and then the last lines/verse hit like a hammer. lol. I'd keep singing The Gambler to myself over and over as a kid to the point my parents probably thought I had a gambling habit. Then there's Lucille and others including duets with Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie. Damn, this brings back some memories.
The bad news just doesn’t stop. I always enjoyed his acting and his voice. This one hurts the heart. RIP
He was Country before Country was cool. He was Cool before Country was cool! If you did not like country . . . you liked Kenny Rogers Definitely a sad day Story Telling Music is my ****! Rocket River
Every gambler knows That the secret to survivin' Is knowin' what to throw away And knowin' what to keep 'Cause every hand's a winner And every hand's a loser And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep
What I never really reconciled within myself is how I always perceived Kenny Rogers as almost two different people per physical appearance. He had a trademark early look that I would equate to the "Brewster Baker" look. Then, seemingly overnight, he looked like a completely different person. So, in my mind, while it's the same person...I tend to think of him as "before" and "after" versions. I'm pretty sure it's because he got "work" done. Regardless, he felt like a king for many years of my life as far as how he came across in the music world. He dominated a genre that felt all his own and it was because of his trademark voice and look.
Not to speak I'll of the dead, but who ever did his eyebrow lift should never practice surgery again. Guy looked startled 24 hours a day at the end of his life. I have a very vivid early memory of watching this as it first aired on The Muppet Show. Looking up the release date, it aired, 9 days after my seventh birthday.
Somehow when I was a kid I SWORE that Tommy lee jones character in lonesome dove was Kenny Rogers. Anyways last month I listened to Wycleffs cover of the gambler for the first time in several years. Good song. Rip
This was always my favorite Kenny Rogers song. I freaking love this song and the movie it was on the soundtrack for. I love you, Kenny! Sniffle
When I hear this I think of Kenny driving the motor home around the country with the kids in Six Pack.
