Song is available digitally
Capitol Records has reissued one of the last recordings Kenny Rogers did for the label. “Goodbye” was written by longtime friend Lionel Richie and originally released in 2009, but the label shipped the track to radio to honor The Gambler’s legacy a week after his death at 81.
“Those closest to Kenny wanted to make this track available to all of his fans,” the label shares.
Lionel and Rogers’ friendship is decades in the making. The two larger-than-life performers have shared countless memories both on and off stage, and together contributed one of music’s most endearing and timeless hits, “Lady.” Written by Richie for Rogers, “Lady” touched the hearts of millions of fans, and cemented a lifelong friendship between the two talented artists.
“Today I lost one of my closest friends ?So much laughter so many adventures to remember, my heart is broken… My prayers go out to Kenny’s Family. ?,” Richie shared on his social media channels following news of Rogers death last week.
In a career that spanned more than six decades, Kenny Rogers left an indelible mark on the history of American music. His songs have endeared music lovers and touched the lives of millions around the world. Chart-topping hits like “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands In The Stream,” “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” and “Through the Years” are just a handful of Kenny Rogers’ songs that have inspired generations of artists and fans alike. Rogers, with 24 No. 1 hits, was a Country Music Hall of Fame member, six-time CMA Awards winner, three-time GRAMMY Award winner, recipient of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award honoree in 2015 and has been voted the “Favorite Singer of All Time” in a joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People.
In 2017, stars from all genres joined together to perform a musical tribute to Rogers at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. All In For The Gambler served as a reminder of the musical impact that his career has had – and will continue to make for years to come as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Alison Krauss, The Flaming Lips, Idina Menzel, Jamey Johnson, Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd, and Elle King all paid tribute to the singer.
Rogers canceled the remaining dates of his 2018 final tour, The Gambler’s Last Deal, due to health issues. He died on March 20th at home of natural causes under hospice care.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Rogers would be the the subject of an upcoming A&E Biography episode. Biography: Kenny Rogers chronicles Rogers’ life from his childhood, through the rise and fall of The First Edition, the iconic release of “The Gambler,” and to the height of his career as a successful solo artist, actor and pop-culture icon. Utilizing live performances and behind-the-scenes moments from All In For The Gambler in Nashville, this Biography special pays tribute to a true country music legend. The two-hour documentary also features exclusive photos, a never-before-seen interview and acoustic performance by Rogers himself as well as intimate interviews with family and fellow luminaries including Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Jamey Johnson and more.