In a world of music, no star has burned longer than that of Kenny Rogers. Today in Spin, the singer-songwriter has announced that his days of performing live is done. His intention to retire came about back in 2015 and those final performances are scheduled through 2017 but the exact end is just around the corner.
“All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,” will take place on Wednesday, October 25th in Nashville which will signals the end of Roger’s performing days. The one time show will bring together fans, friends and music icons to celebrate the music career of Rogers.
A music career that dates back to the 1950s when Rogers moved genres until becoming a country-pop crossover artist of the 1970s and 1980s. Some of his greatest hits include “The Gambler,” “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” and “Islands in the Stream.”
The tribute concert will see Rogers perform with his trusted duet collaborator Dolly Parton. In a tribute that Rogers called in a statement “a special friendship.” Rogers and Parton first came together in the fall of 1983 for their song, “Islands in the Stream” which was on Billboard Hot 100 No. 1. This concert will be the third time the two sang together in 27 years and one that they have agreed to be their last.
The special evening will also feature a diverse group of performances who will come together to pay tribute to a man who’s music has become the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives. An all-star tribute includes performances from Little Big Town, Alison Krauss, Idina Menzel, Jamey Johnson, Elle King, and (most surprisingly, perhaps) The Flaming Lips.
In 2013, Rogers was inducted to the Country Hall of Fame and his last album was the 2015 holiday album Once Again Its Christmas.
Fans can buy tickets for the one-time-only event when they go on sale Friday morning.
Photo credit: Mauricio Alvarado