Kenny Rogers: Country music legend dies at 81

- Country Music singer Kenny Rodgers has died at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia at the age of 81

- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family is planning to have a small private service at this time with a public memorial at a later date

- The husky-voiced balladeer retired from touring in 2017 after a 60-year career

- Kenny, who has wed five times, was currently married to Wanda Miller as the pair tied-the-knot in 1997

- Kenny is also the father to Carole, 60, Kenny Jr., 55, Christopher Cody, 37

Country music legend Kenny Rogers who had a series of hits, including Coward of the County and The Gambler, has died at the age of 81.

The Grammy-winning star, whose career spanned six decades passed away peacefully at home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, from natural causes.

His death was confirmed in a statement by the family representative on Saturday, March 21.

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“Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” a statement from SKH Music said.

Rogers’ family plans a small private service due to the coronavirus outbreak, the statement said.

He is well-known for hits like The Gambler, Lady, Islands in the Stream, Lucille, She Believes In Me and Through the Years.

Rogers, who also enjoyed success in partnership with Dolly Parton, had announced a farewell tour in 2015 but had continued performing until 2017.

The Houston-born singer, known for his trademark husky voice and silver beard, sold tens of millions of records and broke through into the pop world.

He also gained fame as an actor, starring in TV movies based on The Gambler and other songs, making him a superstar in the 70s and 80s.

However, despite his crossover success, he always preferred to be thought of as a country singer.

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Speaking in 2015, he said: "You either do what everyone else is doing and you do it better, or you do what no one else is doing and you don't invite comparison."

He enjoyed an incredible career as he sold tens of millions of records, won three Grammys and was the star of TV movies based on The Gamble and other songs.

Kenny, who has wed five times, was currently married to Wanda Miller. The pair tied-the-knot in 1997 and have remained together since.

The singer and the 52-year-old beauty are parents to 14-year-old identical twin sons, Jordan and Justin.

He was also the father to three other children, Kenny revealed in 2014 that initially when he began dating Wanda, her parents did not approve.

A true rags-to-riches story, Rogers was raised in public housing in Houston Heights with seven siblings.

As a 20-year-old, he had a gold single called That Crazy Feeling, under the name Kenneth Rogers, but when that early success stalled, he joined a jazz group, the Bobby Doyle Trio, as a standup bass player.

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In other news, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian music star, Davido paid homage to his late uncle, Isiaka Adeleke, as he visited his grave site in Ede, Osun state.

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