Luck or Something Like It

May 15, 2012

In his 52-year career, pop/country singer Rogers has recorded 65-plus albums, including one Diamond, 19 Platinums, and 31 Golds; he's sold more than 120 million records worldwide and has nearly 250,000 fans on Facebook. His memoir will obviously touch on a lot of music making, as well as music makers, from Ray Charles to Dolly Parton. And he'll be promoting on his annual Christmas & Hits Tour.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 22, 2012
Kenny Rogers waited until he was 74 years old to publish this memoir, probably because his lifeâwhile certainly fullâlacks the over-the-top shenanigans of other mainstream celebrities. A nondrinker and nonsmoker, Rogers only experimented with drugs early in his career; women have been his biggest vice, and he writes candidly here about his five marriages and an early-'90s phone-sex scandal that seems almost quaint today. In the same relaxed, simple voice that delivered the massive crossover hits "The Gambler," "She Believes in Me" and "Lady," Rogers chronicles his childhood in the housing projects of Houston, where his sister Geraldine instilled in him a love of singing harmony that would later help him sell more than 125 million albums; his transition from bass player and singer in the First Edition to solo superstar status near the age of 40;and his various side projects, including USA for Africa, Kenny Rogers Roasters, tennis, television, photography and even theater. Along the way, Rogers takes swipes at Tom Jones, Lorne Greene, the Captain & Tennille and at least one of his ex-wives, while also sharing the catalysts for some of his most abiding hits. Ripe with nostalgia, this book should please Rogers's fans while encouraging newcomers to explore his diverse and deep body of work.