Country Music Icon Kenny Rogers dies at 81

Country music legend, Kenny Rogers, who dominated the pop and country charts in the 1970s and 1980s has died aged 81.

His family confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday. 

“The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10.25 pm at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” read the family statement.

Rogers’ family is planning a small private service because of the coronavirus pandemic with a public memorial planned for a later date.

The American singer who enjoyed a career spanning across six decades which began in 1957, retired from touring in 2017 at age 79. He was a three-time Grammy winner and was also a Country Music Hall of Fame member.

Kenny, who has been married five times is survived by his last wife Wanda Miller and five children, Carole, 60, Kenny Jr., 55, Christopher Cody, 37, and 14-year-old identical twin sons, Jordan and Justin.