The music industry lost one of its greatest chambers when Kenny Rogers died.
On March 20, 2020, Rogers' family confirmed the devastating news of his death. The singer, who was 81 at the time of his passing, died peacefully at his home from natural causes.
He was under hospice care in the months leading to his death.
Ahead of his death anniversary this year, his close friend Dolly Parton shared an early touching tribute as she included details about their unmatched friendship.
In a recent interview with People, the 77-year-old crooner expressed how much she is missing Rogers. While Parton lost several people in his life in the past few years, it was reportedly different when her dear friend died.
Per Parton, she never gets tired of hearing themselves sing and remembering the years they shared a stage together.
Among the songs they worked on, she picked "Island in the Stream," the best song that details their best memories. The duo dropped the track in the 1980s and savored No. 1 spots on several charts.
"You know how sometimes you get tired of singing something because it just becomes routine? But I would always lighten up when that particular song was due in the setlist," she said. "It just always made everybody feel so good in the audience and the audience always loved singing it. I never got tired of Kenny's voice."
Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers Made Song About Their Friendship
Apart from "Island in the Stream," Parton and Rogers' friendship was also documented in their hit song "You Can't Make Old Friends."
The duo recorded it in 2013, and the female country singer said they made it "just in time."
Parton declared she knew Rogers very well, saying that they were very similar and were like brother and sister.
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Before Kenny Rogers' death, he sat for an interview with Fox & Friends and spoke about the same song's weight. He disclosed that the track was written "by them for the two of them." He remembered performing the sad song during a war memorial in Nashville and choking up because of their emotions.
Rogers noted that they both cried as the poignantly sad song is about what a person can do when the other person is gone.
Rogers' family held a small private service in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
