1. Gordon and Rogers were together for 16 years, until their divorce in 1997. Why was Kenny Rogers on hospice care? document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Dolly Parton put out a tribute video to her Social Media right after Kenny Rogers' passing, but now she is speaking out about their longtime relationship, and how she was surprised. Dolly Parton is mourning the loss of her good friend, the legendary Kenny Rogers. Shes also worked as a social editor for House Beautiful and had previous writing stints at Redbook,CosmopolitanandSeventeen. Associate Editor, Human Interest - PEOPLE. 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In 2017, the duo sat down with TODAY's Dylan Dreyer to talk about their friendship. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. He was a Country Music Hall of Famer and three-time GRAMMY Award winner. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, all the stars were forced to broadcast from their own homes, but that didnt stop Parton from giving a world-class sendoff to her late friend. We can't say we blame them for having a hard time picking just one favorite song! My heart's broken. 1 on the Hot 100 list, according to Billboard. Parton serenades a rapt Rogers with her signature "I Will Always Love You," and then the two top the show with what is the final performance of their classic "Islands in the Stream."It will no doubt be a memorable moment for TV viewers, as it was the live audience, but four years removed from the event, perhaps the . According to Radar Online in May of 2019, then-80-year-old Kenny Rogers was battling bladder cancer the same disease that caused him to retire from the public eye in 2018. Dolly Parton took to social media to share an emotional message for her longtime friend and singing partner, Kenny Rogers. Did Dolly Parton go to Kenny Rogers funeral? The singer gave an emotional cover of Rogers 1977 hit Sweet Music Man accompanied only by a guitar. The Duo's Collaboration on "Islands in the Stream" was . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "I would like to say that we became immediate friends, but we didn't," Rogers wrote. The family representative also said, The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. It was perhaps predictably simply called "Dolly," and Rogers was asked to do a guest appearance. Here is what you need to know about Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's relationship. Gordon went on to explain that Rogers had been open about his feelings and intentions at the time. He was 81. Talk about a touching, meaningful moment no wonder Rogers held the incredible memory so close to his heart! Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Rogers died "peacefully at home from natural causes," at the age of 81, his family wrote in a statement that was shared online early Saturday morning. Dolly Parton Has Plans to Release a Very Special Gospel Duet With Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus Owned New Years Eve Watch Their Wrecking Ball / I Will Always Love You Mashup, Why Dolly Parton Doesnt Do New Years Resolutions, Dolly Parton Is Releasing an Anti-Bullying Childrens Book Starring Her God-Dog Billy the Kid. Which is the greatest song of all time? So we just never went there., Plus, there was one other thing: Hes been married about 40 times! Parton joked. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family," the singer's family said in a statement . Kenny Rogers' family is planning a private service "out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency" for the singer who died on Saturday aged 81. "I think that I can speak for all his family, his friends, his fans, when I say that I will always love you," Dolly Parton said of her duet partner Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Our voices really blended well and we had the same outlook on life and on things, and so we just, traveling around the world like we did for so many years, we became very, very close.". How many records has Dolly Parton sold? But I loved Kenny with all my heart and my hearts broken and a big ole chunk has gone with him today., Referencing one of her own hits, Parton added: I think that I can speak for all his family, his friends, his fans, when I say that I will always love you.. What a seriously adorable friendship! I couldnt catch him between wives!. On Friday, Rogers, 81, died at his home from natural causes under hospice care, surrounded by family. She also opened up about his death during a virtual appearance on the TODAY show Thursday, April 2, telling hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager that Rogers' passing "caught me by surprise. ", Rogers died on March 20 from natural causes under hospice care, surrounded by his family. So we just never went there. The second meeting between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton was actually the real start to their relationship. It's pretty evident that there was a whole lot of love between Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Many famous faces have paid tribute to "The Gambler," including his long-time duet partner, Dolly Parton. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. "Everybody was like family," she gushed. Marianne Gordon, Rogers' fourth wife, said people actually asked her if there was something romantic going . Dolly Parton appeared to be completely bereft when her friend and collaborator Kenny Rogers passed away on March 20 at the age of 81. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. According to The Atlantic, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers first met way back in the 1970s. At the end of the music video for "You Can't Make Old Friends," Rogers explained that they had "connected personally" doing this duet. The "You Can't Make Old Friends" singers were very close. Since their fatedmeeting in in the '70s, Rogers and Parton have collaborated on a series of duets, and have appeared on stage together on dozens of occasions. And it would almost be like incest. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton didn't know each other that well before they were brought together for their 1983 duet, "Islands in the Stream." The song, written by the Bee Gees, became a huge hit for the pair, with its country-inflected pop sensibilities. He is based in New York City and his favorite film is Pretty Woman.. However, she also shared, "I've kind of put it in a peaceful place, knowing that he's at peace.I'll always miss him, but I'll always treasure what we had together." When Rogers appeared on the Bobby Bones Show, he told a funny story about how their special friendship worked. One of Rogers ex-wives talked about his hard-to-deny chemistry with Parton and whether she thought anything more ever went on behind the scenes. Rogers, 79, and his wife Wanda watched . Rogers died at his home on March 20, 2020 at age 81. As any true Dolly Parton fans know, the singer owes a huge portion of her success to her long-time collaboration partner and friend, Kenny Rogers, a hugely successful musician and actor in his own right. Naturally, Rogers was a little taken aback by the morbid comment! Rogers explained how he looked up during the recording, and noticed that Parton had left her place in the studio and had come up to his microphone. 8:04 AM PT-- Dolly Parton -- half of the famed duo that recorded "Islands in the Stream" -- just posted an emotional tribute, reassuring people Kenny's gonna go to bat for us with God . "You Can't Make Old Friends" was co-written by Don Schlitz, Ryan Hanna King, and Caitlin Smith. Rogers was struggling during the recording of "Islands in the Stream." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, "We'd eat, hang out, and we found we really liked each other,"Parton recalled in an interview withPeople. Shes one of those rare people that if she walked in the door and I hadnt seen her in five years, it would be like we were together yesterday.". .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}Mayim Bialik and Her Boyfriend Drop Big News on IG, 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3 Details, 'Today' Fans Are Overwhelmed By Dylan Dreyer's IG, The Best Amazon Presidents' Day Deals of 2023, Margot Robbie Wore a Dress With a Very Tall Slit, The Best Apple Presidents' Day Deals of 2023, Harry and Meghan Markle Respond to Jeremy Clarkson, Brie Larson's Temp Tattoos Have Fans Spiraling, A New 'Yellowstone' Instagram Has Fans Emotional, Kelly Clarkson Fans Rally Around Emotional News, Mellisa Gilbert, 58, Opens Up About Aging, Everything to Know About the Bridgerton Prequel. "When Kenny passed away, it caught me by surprise," she admits. Dolly Parton paid tribute to her late friend, Kenny Rogers. Wed lose it. Musicians Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton attend The RP Foundation Fighting Blindness Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Frank Bennack, Jr. on April 19, 1988 at The Grand Ballroom, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York. Fly high, straight to the arms of God. Kenny Rogers' ex-wife Marianne Gordon was by his side from 1977 to 1993. Rogers's manager went to go find her. Is it true that Dolly Parton sold Dollywood? Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. You know what, we were almost like brother and sister, Parton explained. It's never anger and it's never revenge, it's always love. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images), Legendary country singer Kenny Rogers dies at 81. "The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25 p.m. at the age of. What is the world's secret island? "Well, I couldn't believe it this morning when I got up, turned on the TV checking to see what the coronavirus was doing, and they told me that my friend and singing partner Kenny Rogers had passed away," Parton said in thevideo filmed inside her home. As it turns out, they might have never collaborated at all if it hadn't been for one of the Bee Gees bringing them together to sing "Islands in the Stream" much later in 1983! During that time, they collaborated on songs and albums, and even toured together. Parton paid tribute to her friend this week with a performance during CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares, where she sang "Sweet Music Man." Ive had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend. At the time, she already had her own television show. "You never know she's going to say, but it always comes from love." Parton was one of more than 20 artists who took the stage to honor Rogers, who in 2015 revealed plans to retire after a final tour that ends later this year. And while they've always denied the speculations, they have admitted to indulging in quite a lot of flirting over the years. ", The "Jolene" singer then pulled out a framed photo of herself and Kenny and ended her video saying, "God bless you, Kenny. Kenny said Ill do it, and Ill never forget it. How did Dolly Parton feel when Kenny Rogers died? Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers always firmly denied rumors of romance. As he explained in his memoir Luck or Something Like It, "I had worked on the song with Barry for at least four days, something I was not used to doing. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. "My words and love go out to his children and to Wanda, his wife, and to all his fans. Whether she's making funny gestures, play-slapping his hand away, or bumping him with her rear end, you can tell Parton loved egging Rogers on. ", Alexander Kacala is a reporter and editor atTODAY Digitaland NBC OUT. "I know that we all know Kenny is in a better place than we are today," she said. Kenny was a five-time CMA Awards winner and a 10-time Academy of Country Music Honoree. Dolly Parton says thedeath of her longtime friend Kenny Rogers cameas a bit of a shock. The ceremony was hosted by long-time touring partners Linda Davis and Billy Dean, and over fifteen speakers memorialized Rogers with stories and kind words. The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. Gordon and Rogers split in 1993 but she said she believed him when he told her that he never had a sexual relationship with his famous duet partner. 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