Kenny Rogers: "Luck Or Something Like It: A Memoir"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-10-01/kenny-rogers-luck-or-something-it-memoir
Kenny Rogers is known worldwide as an award-winning pop and country singer. But many fans don’t know he began his career 50 years ago singing in a doo-wop group at his Texas high school. He played stand-up bass in a jazz trio before joining a rock band in the late 1960s. It was with the band First Edition that Kenny Rogers found fame with the song, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.” In 1977, he launched a solo career in country music with the hit “Lucille.” He soon became known for his story songs like “The Gambler.” Diane talks with Kenny Rogers about his journey from a Houston housing project to becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Guests
Kenny Rogers
three-time Grammy Award winner and recipient of 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and five Country Music Association Awards.
Related Items
Video: From The Studio
Grammy Award-winning musician Kenny Rogers broke into song while in studio as he described his mother's reaction to his 1977 ballad, "Lucille."
Read An Excerpt
Excerpted from "Luck or Something Like It: A Memoir" by Kenny Rogers. Copyright 2012 by Kenny Rogers. Reprinted here by permission of William Morrow. All rights reserved.
Comments
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As a child in the 70's, I listened to country music because it was the radio station my parents would turn on. I believe they considered it more family-friendly, so it's what we heard in the car, especially. I remember listening to, and loving songs like "The Gambler", "Lucille", "Ruby...", and the "Coward of the County." As an adult, I've given these songs closer listening, and I'm often shocked at the "adult" content. These are such easy-going songs, but with really heavy emotional weight, almost morality plays. I have an even greater appreciation now, of these supposedly simple country songs. Thank you Kenny Rogers.
Love Kenny, even though in general I don't like country music. Most of it sounds so much like the rest that nothing seems original.
So great to hear Kenny's voice on the show this morning! It made me wish the drive to the office wouldn't end. In 1969 or 1970, I was a disc jockey for a popular top 40 radio station in Salt Lake City and was invited to introduce Kenny (and the First Edition) when they headlined a concert at Weber State University in nearby Ogden (where I grew up). Now, I'm in my early 60's, with 8 grandchildren -- but the star of the show that night, so many years ago, is still in the spotlight -- and still sounding great, well over 40 years later. It's no small feat to be that good, for that long, in any field -- let alone one as tough as live music.
What a treat, to hear you talk so candidly about your life and times. Thanks, Kenny!
Warm best,
Kent Norton
I'm happy Diane is back and sounding well, and I enjoyed the first hour on the Supreme Court.
But with everything that is going on, I am surprised that Diane thinks it's a good idea to take an hour out of one's day to listen to an old, washed-up country singer who was never very good anyway talk about his life. I assume he talked about his fascinating life. I wasn't listening.
I love, love, love Kenny Rogers!! We were very poor growong up, and the very first cassette I ever owned was a Kenny Rogers tape; a hand-me-down from goodness knows where. Anyway, I had lots of free time and had the tape memorized word for word in no time. The songs took me out of my reality, if only for a short while.
In Sept. 1984, my new husband and I stumbled on a Kenny Rogers concert in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since it was almost over they let us enter and we got to hear Islands in the Stream!
What a treat! He sounded wonderful then and continues today!
right after this neil young on fresh air. two of the music hall of famers.
I listened and enjoyed every minute. It took me back to my high school days.
I heard only about the last 15 minutes of this show. I really liked 2 of the songs that were played during this time. Can anyone tell me their names? Thanks in advance.