I liked his early work with The First Edition. They were more of a Pop Rock group than Country. His solo work was a little too slick for my tastes, but he did have a great voice. Was just playing The Gambler last week. Always liked his version of the title song and Lucille. The album cover of the Christmas record he did with Dolly gives me a smile.
Kenny Rogers lived across the street from my family in the '60s. I had left home by then but my sisters remember him and his family well. One of my sisters babysat his kids and went to court for him, about some drama with the kids. Oh, drama.
In 1969, he was one of the first to address veteran's issues and the effects of the Vietnam War with the Mel Tillis song "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town".
You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadows on the wall tell me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
It wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby, I still need some company
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and needs of a woman your age really I realize
But it won't be long, I've heard them say, until I'm not around
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
She's leaving now cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I heard its slams one hundred times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Contrary to what many believe, the song wasn’t written about the Vietnam war, even though it was recorded during that era and contains the line “It wasn’t me that started that old crazy Asian war.”
“Ruby is a real life narrative about a soldier coming home from World War II in 1947 to Palm Beach County, Florida,” says Tillis, himself a Florida native. “The soldier brought along with him a pretty little English woman he called ‘Ruby,’ his war bride from England, one of the nurses that helped to bring him around to somewhat of a life. He had recurring problems from war wounds and was confined mostly to a wheelchair. He’d get drunk and accuse Ruby of everything under the sun. Having stood as much as she could, Ruby and the soldier eventually divorced, and she moved on.”
So while it wasn't written about Vietnam specifically, it still had an effect, especially in 1969.
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Big fan of 'Islands in the
Big fan of 'Islands in the Stream'. Missed a chance to work his show a couple of years ago.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NiwcOaaRo1Y
RIP Kenny Rogers
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Also, your thread title wasn
Also, your thread title wasn't very nice. Have you undergone sensitivity training?
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Kenny !!!!!!! RIP
Kennnnnnnnnnnnnnyyyyyyy !!!!!!! RIP
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I liked his early work with
I liked his early work with The First Edition. They were more of a Pop Rock group than Country. His solo work was a little too slick for my tastes, but he did have a great voice. Was just playing The Gambler last week. Always liked his version of the title song and Lucille. The album cover of the Christmas record he did with Dolly gives me a smile.
RIP Roaster
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I always liked "She Believes
I always liked "She Believes in Me". Helluva career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE19WzuQ4J0
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Kenny Rogers lived across the
Kenny Rogers lived across the street from my family in the '60s. I had left home by then but my sisters remember him and his family well. One of my sisters babysat his kids and went to court for him, about some drama with the kids. Oh, drama.
p.s. I like the thread title.
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Cashes out? RIP
Cashes out?
RIP
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Dolly says "Keep the faith."
Dolly says "Keep the faith."
https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/1241370371628183552
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):
):
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In 1969, he was one of the
In 1969, he was one of the first to address veteran's issues and the effects of the Vietnam War with the Mel Tillis song "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EJGZt3X6uU
Ruby by Mel Tillis
You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadows on the wall tell me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
It wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby, I still need some company
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and needs of a woman your age really I realize
But it won't be long, I've heard them say, until I'm not around
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
She's leaving now cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I heard its slams one hundred times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, for God's sake, turn around
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Further research reveals..
Further research reveals...https://americansongwriter.com/kenny-rogers-ruby-dont-take-love-town-beh...
Contrary to what many believe, the song wasn’t written about the Vietnam war, even though it was recorded during that era and contains the line “It wasn’t me that started that old crazy Asian war.”
“Ruby is a real life narrative about a soldier coming home from World War II in 1947 to Palm Beach County, Florida,” says Tillis, himself a Florida native. “The soldier brought along with him a pretty little English woman he called ‘Ruby,’ his war bride from England, one of the nurses that helped to bring him around to somewhat of a life. He had recurring problems from war wounds and was confined mostly to a wheelchair. He’d get drunk and accuse Ruby of everything under the sun. Having stood as much as she could, Ruby and the soldier eventually divorced, and she moved on.”
So while it wasn't written about Vietnam specifically, it still had an effect, especially in 1969.