Kenny Rogers

Kenny sold 120 million records worldwide, as he transitioned from jazz to folk to rock to, finally, country. At the height of his career, his biggest hits crossed over to pop, which paved the way for many of country music’s most well-known artists today.

At home, he was private and relaxed. He loved and was loved by his family, and was respected by his staff and his crew – his extended family on tour. Some of his favorite restaurants were the Waffle House and any McDonald’s drive-through. He loved to spend time with his boys and liked to joke that, “The Rogers family crest was a TV remote and an unfinished house.”

Kenneth Ray Rogers was born on August 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas. He was the fourth of Lucille and Floyd Rogers’ eight children. They lived in a three-bedroom apartment in the San Felipe Courts housing project of Houston’s Fourth Ward. His mother was the rock of the house but his father was responsible for his love of music.

Floyd played the fiddle and had two brothers who played the guitar. On the weekends, he would pack the kids in the truck and take them to their grandfather’s farm in Apple Springs. The family gathered on the front porch and played Gospel songs. Kenny would play drums with his hands on the old wooden porch. Years later, one of Kenny’s final albums would be a collection of his favorites.

Kenny’s relationship with his mother is best illustrated in a story from one of his brothers. Kenny was at home for dinner during a break from one of his tours. He complimented his mother on her cooking and handed her his plate as if to ask for seconds. Lucille deadpanned, “You might be Kenny Rogers on the road, but right now you’re at home. And at home you’re Kenneth. Get up and get your own.”

Like so many entertainers, Kenny’s talent revealed itself early. He performed at the Texan Theatre at age eleven and formed his first band – The Scholars – at Jefferson Davis High School. He graduated in 1956, and a year after graduation, scored his first hit single: “That Crazy Feeling.” With his oldest brother, Lelan, handling radio promotion, the song earned him a coveted spot on American Bandstand.

His first professional gig was with the Bobby Doyle Trio. Kenny once said he chose to play the bass because there was more demand for bad bass players than there was for bad guitarists. His first success came with The First Edition and hits like “Just Dropped In” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.” While “Ruby” rose on the charts, the band changed their name to Kenny Rogers and The First Edition – a move that led to Kenny’s first solo identity as a recording artist.

Over the remainder of his career, Kenny would go on to amass a remarkable twenty-four Number One hits. He was awarded twenty-one American Music Awards, eleven People’s Choice Awards, ten ACM Awards, six CMA Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, the CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award, the SESAC Legacy Award, the Horatio Alger Award, and in 2013 Kenny was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Beyond his career, Kenny Rogers was a man of many interests. He had a love for charity and a deep camaraderie with his fellow entertainers. He was an accomplished photographer, designer, landscape artist, and a nationally ranked doubles tennis player. He was also quietly spiritual. He liked to say that his mother took him to the First Baptist Church in downtown Houston “every time the doors were open.”

He recorded his one and only Christian album on his own independent record label. At the end of his farewell tour, he remarked, “Not many people get to see the end of the rainbow. But I think I have.”

Kenny is survived by his wife Wanda Rogers; a daughter, Carole Lynne Billingsley; sons Kenneth Ray Rogers II, Christopher Cody Rogers, and twins Justin Charles and Jordan Edward Rogers. He is survived by two brothers – Roy Rogers (Tanya) and Randy Rogers – and his sister, Sandy Rogers, and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lucille Rogers, and siblings Lelan Rogers, Billy Rogers, Geraldine Houston and Barbara Thuman.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, the family is unable to have a funeral at this time. They hope to have a fitting celebration of Kenny’s life at a later date when more are able to attend. In the meantime, for those who would like to honor his memory with a donation, the family suggests a contribution to MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. The Fund will support thousands of out-of-work musicians, writers, stagehands, and road crew who have lost jobs as concert tours, music festivals, concert halls, and clubs around the world have shut down. The MusiCares Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Please click on the link below to make a donation in Kenny Rogers’ name.

Written with love by Christopher Cody Rogers