We’ll Always Remember Country Icon Kenny Rogers! See 10 Fun Facts From A&E’s ‘Biography’ Special

Kenny Grew Up in the Projects

Although Kenny enjoyed a long life filled with fame and fortune, he certainly didn’t come from a wealthy family. In the beginning, the documentary explored the record producer’s upbringing alongside his seven siblings. Before ever starting a life in Nashville, Kenny grew up in the projects in Houston, Texas.

“We were poor, there’s no doubt about that,” Kenny’s brother Roy explained, while sister Sandy added, “We struggled, but we had faith that we would make it through.”

Kenny Brought Hope to Ohio

Kenny’s singing and songwriting were so touching, he was even able to reignite hope in the state of Ohio following the deadly riots in May 1970. In the documentary, Terry Williams of the New Christy Minstrels recalls performing onstage at Kent University one week after the Ohio National Guard opened fire and killed four people who gathered to protest the Vietnam War.

“We were in this building that we could smell was still all burned out and we’re doing ‘Tell it All Brother’ for the first time … ,” Terry recalled of the powerful moment.  “When we got to the chorus of ‘Tell it All Brother,’ and these students at Kent State — all of them — stand. They’re standing on their feet,” he paused while getting choked up. “I get really emotional thinking about it.”

Kenny Considered Quitting Music

Following his run with The First Edition in the mid-’70s, Kenny struggled to reach superstardom. In the documentary, his former manager Ken Kragen recounted the singer’s tumultuous road to becoming an international country star.

“He was pretty down — I remember specifically a phone call of him saying, ‘Look, I can’t take this anymore, it’s just so downgrading and it’s really got me depressed and I’m not even sure if I should stay in this the music business … maybe I should just get out’,” Ken shared.

Kenny Lived By His Mom’s Bit of Advice

In a clip from back in the day, Kenny revealed a bit of advice from his mom that he learned to live by.

“She said, ‘Son, always be happy where you are, but don’t be content to be there,'” he can be heard recalling. Considering Kenny paved one of the most iconic careers in country music history, we have no doubt he took his mom’s words of wisdom to heart!

Kenny Became a Complete Hearthrob

After shooting to fame following the release of “The Gambler” in 1978, Kenny became an ultimate Hollywood heartthrob. “I remember him being on stage in the round and everywhere he walked, women were literally ready to throw their panties on stage,” Wynonna Judd said during the documentary.

Besides his striking good looks, Reba gushed the Six Pack actor had an undeniable way of connecting with his fans. “Making the audience feel like he’s there for them, that’s what Kenny is so good about,” she revealed.

Kenny’s brother Roy also joked that he would typically get swarmed when walking his brother around as his security guard. “I’ve been grabbed in the crotch so many times it’s ridiculous!” he divulged. “You know, they aim for Kenny and they get me!” LOL!

Kenny Was a Workaholic

During the late ’70s and 80s, Kenny was touring the world at an unprecedented amount. In fact, the “Islands in the Stream” singer’s former manager Jim Mazza revealed he was doing up to 250 shows a year at the peak of his career.

Kenny’s former bandmate Steven Glassmeyer said at the time, music was the No. 1 thing in his life. “I think it’s just a matter of priorities and at the time that was his priority,” Steven explained.

The entrepreneur’s brother Roy, who worked security throughout his sibling’s decades-long career, also dished what a day in the life looked like. “Wow, we were gone all the time, it just kind of never stopped,” Roy stated. “We go to the airport, get on a plane and fly to wherever it was … I’d have a limo waiting for him … police escort-motorcycle takes us to the show and we just reverse it coming back … I don’t know when he slept.”

Kenny Says Lionel Richie Was His ‘Best Friend’

Lionel Richie couldn’t help but get choked up as he remembered his dear friend Kenny. The “All Night Long” singer — whose known Kenny since the 1970s — recalled a sweet story during a segment of the A&E documentary.

Lionel explained that on the night of his daughter’s birth, Kenny asked him to take a drive around town “to talk.” Considering Kenny had just become a father, Lionel couldn’t help but felt honored to have been asked to spend some time together.

“He just drove around town and I said, ‘Kenny, don’t you have any other friends you want to hang out with?'” the American Idol judge went on. ”And he said something that just floored … ‘Lionel, you’re my best friend,'” he recalled through tears. So sweet!

Dolly and Kenny Were Magic When They First Met

In 1983, Kenny had a hard time perfecting what would become the top hit song “Islands in the Stream.” Robert Okerman, a country music journalist and author, explained in the TV special how Dolly came along and turned the tune into a record-breaker.

“Here’s this oblique song — Kenny is struggling with it in the studio,” he said. “Barry Gibbs said I know how to fix this,” former manager Jim said of the song’s coproducer. “I know how to make this work.”

It wasn’t until Ken was told to call in the queen of country music. “They looked at me and they said, ‘Get Dolly Parton,'” he remembered.

As the “9 to 5” songstress appeared in the documentary, she recalled the moment Kenny called her to come record “Islands in the Stream.”

“Kenny had a studio in L.A. and I had a little apartment right up the street,” Dolly shared. “He said, ‘Where are you?’ and I said, ‘I am in L.A. in my apartment … and he said, ‘We have a song, could you come down to the studio?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll be down as quick as I can go!'” Looks like the rest is history!

Kenny Lived in Luxury

Considering he grew up in a poor household, there’s nothing wrong with the fact that Kenny completely splurged following his rise to fame. The TV documentary revealed the proud dad of five owned four private planes and an impressive amount of real estate.

“He bought from Dino DeLaurentis [late Italian-American film producer], a home that was quite magnificent … it was 25,000 square feet,” Ken dished. The special also revealed that at one point, Kenny and his family were living in a 35-room, 13-car garage home that cost $14.2 million. Wow!

Kenny Was a Go-Getter

If his flawless career didn’t speak for itself, Kenny’s loved ones praised him for his dedication to his career. “He’s able to move seamlessly through genres,” Robert gushed of his pal’s ability to perfect a tune whether it be country, rock or classic. “He was never exactly satisfied where he was … he always wanted to challenge himself to go to the next level … to get the next big thing.”

The beloved icon’s friend and producer Kelly Junkerman echoed Robert’s sentiments as he remembered Kenny for his admirable nature. “Kenny was a risk-taker … he spent his whole career doing that,” Kelly gushed.