Country star Kenny Rogers dead at 81

Country legend Kenny Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes. Photo: Facebook/KennyRogersOfficial/Piper Ferguson

Vocalist Kenny Rogers, who dominated the pop and country charts in the 1970s and 1980s with a string of sleekly tailored hits and won three Grammys, has died. He was 81.

Rogers “passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family, ” a representative for the singer said in a statement. Due to the the national Covid-19 emergency, the family is planning a small private service at this time with a public memorial planned for a later date.

After establishing himself commercially via rock- and pop-oriented singles with his group the First Edition, the bearded, prematurely grey Rpgers was launched into the top rank of crossover country artistes with a string of singles for United Artists Records.