Country music icon Kenny Rogers has sadly passed away at the age of 81.
The hitmaker was known for songs like 'Lucille', the Dolly Parton collaboration 'Islands in the Stream', and 'The Gambler', which may have the catchiest chorus of any song ever recorded.
Representatives for the singer issued a statement today (March 21) that 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 family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny's life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date."
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Throughout his illustrious career, Rogers won three Grammy awards, multiple Country Music Association Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Country Music Television Artist of a Lifetime Award, and was voted by readers of USA Today and People as their Favourite Singer of All Time.
In 2013, Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and at the time he said: "Everything pales in comparison to this. My older sons thought I was already in here. Maybe now I can really impress them."
As well as his six-decade career in music, Rogers did some acting in a made-for-TV movie spun-off from 'The Gambler', released two books about photography, and even founded his own chicken and ribs food chain with a former CEO of KFC.
The Recording Academy, responsible for the Grammy Awards, paid tribute to Kenny, thanking him for his unique contribution to music:
Meanwhile, Dolly Parton – who famously sang 'Islands In The Stream' with Kenny – paid tribute to her friend in a video message posted to Twitter. She touchingly captioned it: "You never know how much you love somebody until they're gone.
"I've had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend."
Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan shared a photograph on Twitter from an interview he conducted with Kenny, captioned: "I asked Kenny Rogers which of his songs was his favourite... [He said] 'Actually, it would be We've Got Tonight.'
"The lyrics seem apposite today: 'We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? Let's make it last, let's find a way.'"
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