An icon of country music, Kenny Rogers redefined the genre. His dozens of chart-topping hits crossed over into pop and R&B, creating a whole new sound that caught the ears (and hearts) of a global mainstream audience. The indelible mark he left is evident in his songbook of ballads, anthems and duets: “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Through the Years,” “We’ve Got Tonight” and of course, “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Par- ton, his longtime partner and friend. After a 60-year career during which he cranked out 39 studio albums and 80 singles (including 24 No. 1s on the country charts) and sold 100 million records, ultimately Kenny decided it was time to fold ’em. In 2015, the hall of famer announced his retirement with a two-year farewell tour that brought him across six continents to say goodbye to fans. Sadly, it would be for good: On March 19, 2020, he died from natural causes at the age of 81. In 2023, Kenny’s voice returns with Life Is Like a Song, a collection of previously-unreleased music, curated by his widow, Wanda Rogers. “This is a very special record to me and our family because it really tells the story of our life together,” she says, “and I feel his fans will also relate to it in a big way because it walks the listener through the seasons of life that we all experience in one way or another.”
