AGENCIES, Colbert: Legendary country singer-songwriter Kenny Rogers, who captivated audiences for six decades through performances and albums, passed away on Friday due to natural causes. He was 81.
The three-time Grammy winner “passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” said the statement issued by a representative for the singer said.
Due to 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, reports Variety.
Rogers’ official Twitter handle also announced the news. It reads, “The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family.”
The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. https://t.co/adxAgiMW2s pic.twitter.com/nggWiiotMT
— Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) March 21, 2020
The singer of the hit The Gambler was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Other hits include Lady, Lucille, Through the Years and Islands In The Stream.
As age was catching up with him, Rogers drew curtains on live performances three years earlier after conducting his final concert in Nashville in 2017.
Listen to Roger’s hit ‘The Gambler’:
