After years of being vocal about his ailing health, the Country Music Hall of Fame singer died on March 20. He was 81.
"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 released on his social media the following day.
"The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date," the statement added.
Born in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 21, 1938, Rogers began his music career in 1957 with his first song, “That Crazy Feeling” before rising to stardom with his cross-genre group, Kenny Rogers and The First Edition.
His illustrious career went on to span five decades, during which he sold more than 100 million records, won three Grammys and 18 American Music Awards.
His biggest hits included his signature song “The Gambler,” “Lucille,” “Ruby,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” — his beloved duet with frequent collaborator Dolly Parton, which reached No. 1 on the pop charts in 1983.