More Than 100 Million Records Sold: The Legacy of Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers, a legendary singer-songwriter and storyteller, had an illustrious career that spanned several decades and saw him sell over 100 million records. This remarkable achievement cemented his place as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Rogers’ journey in music began in the 1950s with his release of The Poor Little Doggie with the Scholars, followed by solo releases and collaborations with various musical groups.
His first major hit came in 1968 with Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), performed as part of the band The First Edition. This track marked the beginning of his success with cover songs, including Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town, which reached #2 in the UK.
After The First Edition disbanded, Rogers re-recorded many of their songs, releasing the album Ten Years of Gold in 1978. He also collaborated with Dottie West on the duet album Every Time Two Fools Collide, which featured the #1 single of the same name.
In 1978, Rogers released his signature song, The Gambler, written by Don Schlitz. The album of the same name sold five million copies and propelled Rogers to international superstardom. Throughout the 1980s, he continued to enjoy significant success, including the iconic collaboration with Dolly Parton on Islands in the Stream. However, his career began to slow down in the late ’80s and ’90s, though he still had a top 10 album in 1999 with She Rides Wild Horses. By 2015, he had released a total of 39 studio albums and 80 singles.
Kenny Rogers passed away at the age of 81 in 2020, but his legacy lives on. In 2023, a posthumous album titled Life Is Like a Song was released, featuring previously unreleased tracks. Rogers’ musical impact remains undeniable, and he will always be remembered as one of country music’s most successful and beloved artists.
Kenny Rogers Tunes | Related Pages
The Gambler | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play The Gambler by Kenny Rogers using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Eb | Ab Eb |
On a warm summer’s evening, on a train bound for nowhere…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: The Gambler (Kenny Rogers) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Islands In The Stream | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play Islands In The Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | C |
Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Islands In the Stream (Dolly Parton + Kenny Rogers) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Kenny Rogers on the web
