Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers achieved lengthy and profitable solo careers in country music whereas additionally usually becoming a member of their distinctive voices for duets and excursions. Along with typically being performing companions, the 2 shared an in depth friendship that first blossomed once they recorded the now-classic duet “Islands in the Stream.” Parton joined Rogers onstage one final time for a farewell live performance in 2017. On the event, the pair as soon as extra expressed their love and affection for each other.
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers carry out their hit duet “Islands In The Stream” on the CMT’s “100 Greatest Duets” live performance in June 2005.
Picture: Ed Rode/WireImage
Rogers and Parton had related paths to the highest of the charts
Parton and Rogers shared related backgrounds, which can assist clarify their connection. Each grew up in poverty — Rogers in a Houston housing undertaking, Parton in a cabin within the Tennessee hills that was stuffed with 12 youngsters. Parton has defined, “He, like me, was brought up very poor. We understood that world, and how much we wanted things.”
When their friendship started, Rogers and Parton every had profitable careers, although they’d skilled twists and turns alongside the way in which. After discovering success with Kenny Rogers and The First Version, in 1975 Rogers had chosen to embark upon a solo profession in nation music when the group break up up. Parton had achieved nice success in nation music partly as a result of she’d joined Porter Wagoner on his widespread tv present in 1967. However by 1974 she’d determined it was time to department out on her personal.
Each Rogers and Parton had the drive to make it as solo artists. Rogers ended up taking nation music by storm with hits like “The Gambler,” which additionally impressed a TV film tie-in. Parton conquered the world of pop and films whereas sustaining her nation music credibility.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton singing
Picture: Beth Gwinn/Redferns
“Islands in the Stream” cemented their friendship
In 1983, Rogers was a well-liked and famend singer, however his expertise could not preserve him from feeling caught when he tried to file “Islands in the Stream” in a Los Angeles studio. On the time, Parton, who’d taken Hollywood by storm with a standout efficiency within the hit movie 9 to five, was in her Los Angeles house, which was close to the studio the place Rogers was working. After Rogers had struggled with the music for days, Parton was requested to return to the recording session.
Parton arrived inside an hour of getting the decision and rapidly clicked with the music and as a duet companion with Rogers. The 2 recorded “Islands in the Stream” collectively, and, along with their musical partnership, a good looking friendship took off. “Since the day she walked into the room to do ‘Islands in the Stream’ we have had, I think, a very special relationship,” Rogers has famous. Parton has mentioned of Rogers, “You never really know where you’re gonna run across somebody that’s just gonna be partners for life.”
“Islands in the Stream” grew to become an enormous hit and served because the impetus for Rogers and Parton to hitch their voices for extra music and excursions throughout the globe. And with the ability to journey and carry out collectively solely strengthened the pair’s friendship. With Rogers, Parton indulged in a playfulness that few others may. “I was always such a feisty little thing and I was always doing stuff backstage or onstage,” she’s acknowledged. “You know, pinch him on the butt or whatever.” Their closeness resulted in some hypothesis as to whether or not they had been greater than buddies, however the relationship was merely an in depth friendship.
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers backstage at “Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years” at MGM Grand at Foxwoods on April 10, 2010, in Ledyard Heart, Connecticut.
Picture: Rick Diamond/Getty Photographs
The 2 shared an enduring friendship
Rogers’ accomplishments had been honored throughout All in for the Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Live performance Celebration, an occasion that happened on October 25, 2017, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Enviornment. Parton was among the many superstars in attendance, which Rogers appreciated. He acknowledged, “I’ve known Dolly for 30 years, so I think it’s so sweet of her to come here so that I can say goodbye properly.”
That night time, Parton serenaded Rogers with a music she’d written years earlier, one which absolutely expressed how she felt about her good buddy, “I Will Always Love You.” She and Rogers additionally rejoined forces for “Islands in the Stream,” in addition to pairing up for “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” which options traces resembling, “It was you and me since way back when,” was written for the pair and was impressed by their lasting friendship. Parton has mentioned of the music, “Now that summed up our relationship.”
Their rendition of “You Can’t Make Old Friends” was the final time Rogers and Parton would carry out collectively, however their friendship lasted till Rogers handed away on March 20, 2020. The subsequent day Parton shared an emotional video and a message on Twitter: “You never know how much you love somebody until they’re gone. I’ve 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. So you be safe with God and just know that I will always love you, Dolly.”
The 2-hour documentary “Biography: Dolly,” premiering Sunday, April 12 at 8/7c, traces Parton’s extraordinary journey from her childhood spent in poverty and early days in Nashville to her a number of hit songs and up to date 50th-anniversary celebration at The Grand Ole Opry. “Biography: Kenny Rogers,” premiering Monday, April 13 at 9/8c, chronicles Rogers’ life from his childhood, by way of the rise and fall of The First Version, the long-lasting launch of “The Gambler,” and to the peak of his profession as a profitable solo artist, actor and pop-culture icon.
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