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Country music icon Kenny Rogers has gone from a man to an institution. Kenny has pulled off the rare trick of coasting through fifty years in the industry and he's still riding high. Kenny Rogers got his start in a doo-wop combo in the 50's, then played in a jazz-rock band before hooking up with Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Comacho to form a rockin' country combo called The First Edition. The spotlight loved Kenny, and they quickly renamed themselves Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Kenny cut some of his signature tunes with the group, including "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" and "Reuben James." While with The First Edition in the 70's Kenny sported eccentric pink sunglasses and long hair, earning himself an affectionate reputation as a "hippie hillbilly." Also, Kenny's voice was smooth and strong-throughout his solo career, it would take on a distinct, gravelly twang. Kenny Rogers split with The First Edition in 1976 and finally stepped out as a solo artist. However, he had difficulty securing a record deal and convincing executives he wasn't a has-been. Finally, he signed with United Artists and released his solo debut Love Lifted Me. The title single and the track "Runaway Girl" were modest hits and he made his mark on the pop and country charts with his second record, the self-titled Kenny Rogers. In 1978, Kenny Rogers released his classic album The Gambler-the album perfectly captured Rogers' effortless blend of country and gritty, straight-up rock. Throughout his career, Kenny Rogers would go on to collaborate with a diverse list of artists including Lionel Richie, The Bee Gees and Dolly Parton.

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