Song:Lady
Album:42 Ultimate Hits
After trying everything he could think of to keep The First Edition together, Kenny Rogers finally called it quits in 1976. They were going nowhere anyway. They hadn't been popular for a few years so it was questionable if Rogers could have a successful solo career. He was perceived as a has been. But United Artists producer Larry Butler signed him anyway and of course Rogers was a smashing success in the country music market. He also crossed over to the pop charts and Lady was his only number one hit as a solo artist in 1980. His other number one hit was the duet Islands In The Stream with Dolly Parton. Rogers' first album for UA Love Lifted Me did OK. But his second album Kenny Rogers went through the roof with Lucille his first number one country hit in 1977. He had more success with songs like The Gambler and Coward Of The County and he had success recording duets with Dottie West and his 1980 duet with Kim Carnes Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer. With EMI's purchase of UA, Rogers was moved to Liberty Records for his 1980 album Share Your Love. His producer on the album was Lionel Richie who was known as lead singer of The Commodores. This was his first work outside The Commodores. Lady was not on Share Your Love. It was a previously unreleased song on the 1980 Greatest Hits comp. Lady topped the Country Singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100. And Greatest Hits topped the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified 12XPlatinum. Lady was big for Rogers and Richie as it gave Richie the confidence to leave The Commodores and go solo. And Rogers was firmly established as a pop crossover act. Rogers had several more hits in the 80s including the number one hit Islands In The Stream. But even when he faded on the pop charts, he continued to have success in country. He continues that success today. This 2CD comp is a complete overview of Rogers' career. His latest CD The Love Of God was released by Cracker Barrel last year. He continues to tour and performed Lady with Lionel Richie a couple of weeks ago at SXSW in Austin. Here's Kenny Rogers performing Lady 1980.
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