a time of massive social change, when music was expected to be edgy and, in many cases, drug related." 5 on the charts and, as Rogers wrote in "Luck or Something Like It," it gave the band "street cred during.
The psychedelic-sounding song went to No. Mickey Newbury had written a song called "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." The band released it as its second single – the first with Rogers singing lead. But soon, he and bandmates Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho formed their own band, the First Edition.
#KENNY ROGERS THROUGH THE YEARS SONG ALBUM HOW TO#
The group disbanded in the mid-1960s by then, Rogers had "learned how to be a musician from Bobby Doyle," as he wrote half a century later.Īfter the Bobby Doyle Three split, Rogers was invited to join feel-good folk group the New Christy Minstrels. Rogers wasn't a bass player but signed on anyway. In 1959, jazz pianist Bobby Doyle heard Rogers play at a club and asked him to join the Bobby Doyle Three as a bassist and harmony singer. Story Behind the Song: Kenny Rogers' 'Through the Years' At age 19, he performed the teen-dream ballad on "American Bandstand." As a solo artist, Kenneth Rogers (who'd soon change his stage name to Kenny) recorded a song called "That Crazy Feeling," which was released on Carlton Records. label Imperial Records, then went their separate ways. They cut a few forgettable tracks for L.A. In high school, he formed a vocal group called the Scholars. His version of "Lovesick Blues" won him the grand prize: a half-gallon of vanilla ice cream and a meeting with country star Eddy Arnold. He entered his first talent contest when he was 10.
"As early as grade school, I began to see music and singing as a respite from all the awkwardness and embarrassment of growing up poor, shy and often an outsider," Rogers wrote in his 2012 book, "Luck or Something Like It: A Memoir." The fourth of Edward and Lucille's eight children, Rogers grew up in the San Felipe Courts housing project and was the first person in his family to receive a high school diploma. Kenneth Donald Rogers (called "Kenneth Ray" by his family members) was born in Houston on Aug. He also published several photography books, donated time and money to philanthropic causes, appeared in a number of made-for-television movies and launched an eponymous restaurant chain. He was under hospice care and died of natural causes, Hagan said.ĭuring his six-decade career, the charismatic, husky-voiced singer sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, won three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He died at home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, representative Keith Hagan told The Associated Press. Watch Video: Kenny Rogers: The life and career of 'The Gambler'Ĭountry crossover star Kenny Rogers, known for recording enduring classics like "The Gambler," "Lucille" and "Islands in the Stream" and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV, died Friday night.