Kenny Rogers: Country Superstar of The Gambler and Lucille Dies at 81

Kenny Rogers was an American singer, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur, one of the best-selling country artists of all time. Born Kenneth Donald Ray Rogers on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas, he was the fourth of eight children.

Rogers rose with The First Edition, whose "Just Dropped In" reached No. 5 in 1968, then became a solo star with "Lucille" in 1977 and "The Gambler" in 1978. His duet with Dolly Parton, "Islands in the Stream," reached No. 1 in 1983, and he also topped the charts with "Lady." He had more than 120 hit singles, won three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

Rogers starred in a series of The Gambler television films and co-founded the Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant chain in 1991. He was married five times and had five children, including twin sons born in 2004 with his wife, Wanda Miller. He retired from touring in 2017 after a farewell tour. He died of natural causes under hospice care at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on March 20, 2020, at age 81.

Achievements: Hit the charts with "Lucille" (1977) and "The Gambler" (1978), "Islands in the Stream" at No. 1 (1983), three Grammy Awards, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2013).

Birth: August 21, 1938 - Houston, Texas.

Profession: Singer, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur.

Interesting Facts: He joined the New Christy Minstrels in 1966. "The Gambler" was added to the National Recording Registry in 2018.