Kenny Rogers, American country music icon, known for such hits as “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Lucille,” died on Friday night, according to a statement posted by his family. He was 81
In a tweet, posted on his twitter account “The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25 PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family.”
Rogers was inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. He was awarded the County Music Association’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, according to Variety.
Before his death, Rogers has been battling a lot of health problems prompted Rogers to call off shows during what was billed as his farewell concert tour, report Foxnews
“Kenny Rogers has been working through a series of health challenges and has been advised to cancel all performances through the end of the year to focus on recuperation,” a statement from the singer’s management said at the time.
“I didn’t want to take forever to retire,” Rogers was quoted as saying. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on ‘The Gambler’s Last Deal’ tour.”
Rogers and county music icon Dolly Parton were frequent collaborators and paired to make some of country music’s most enduring duets, including “Islands in the Stream,” “Love is Strange,” “Real Love,” and “You Can’t Make Old Friends.”
