Kenny Rogers (1938-2020)

Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV died Friday night, March 20, 2020. He was 81.

Section:Gallery

Sat., March 21, 2020

In this Oct. 24, 2017 photo, Kenny Rogers poses with his star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV died Friday night, March 20, 2020. He was 81.

Mark Humphrey Associated Press
In this June 19, 1980 photo, Kenny Rogers performs in the Spokane Coliseum.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
In this June 9, 2012, photo, Kenny Rogers performs at the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV died Friday night, March 20, 2020. He was 81.

Wade Payne Invision
In this Oct. 25, 2017 photo, Kenny Rogers, left, and Dolly Parton share a few stories at "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration" at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Laura Roberts Invision
In this Oct. 25, 2017 photo, Kenny Rogers, left, and Dolly Parton perform during the "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration" at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Laura Roberts Invision
In thi Nov. 6, 2013 photo, Kenny Rogers, winner of the Willie Nelson lifetime achievement award, poses backstage at the 47th annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on in Nashville, Tenn.

Evan Agostini Invision
In this Oct. 27, 2013, file photo, country music star Kenny Rogers thanks the audience at the ceremony for the 2013 inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV died Friday night, March 20, 2020.

Mark Zaleski Associated Press
In this Nov. 10, 1998 photo, Kenny Rogers poses for a photo. Rogers and Kelly Junkerman have written a 90-minute play about a toy shop owner who hopes for a miracle to save his store from foreclosure. "

Suzanne Mapes Associated Press
In this Aug. 29, 1996 photo, Kenny Rogers performs at the 50th anniversary birthday bash for the Golden Nugget, the downtown casino where he saw his career ignite in the 1970s in Las Vegas.

Lennox Mclendon Associated Press