Three years before country icon Kenny Rogers died of natural causes, he had a hilarious and heartwarming final performance with Dolly Parton. The October 2017 performance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena featured a number of musical icons. But Rogers fittingly saved the show’s finale for his long-time duet partner and close friend, Dolly.
From their on-stage banter to classic hits like “Islands in the Stream,” we revisit their final performance together, which was as heartwarming as it was hilarious. The performance was truly a testament to their decades-long relationship and respect for one another as musicians and friends alike.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s Final Performance Was A Perfect Snapshot Of Their Friendship
Performers on Kenny Rogers’ “All in for the Gambler” farewell show in Nashville included superstars like Lionel Richie, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Chris Stapleton. But he saved the final songs of the star-studded set list for Dolly Parton, with whom he began singing in the early 1980s. Their final on-stage appearance together truly highlighted their easy-going relationship with one another, teasing each other as much as they sang each other’s praises.
“Kenny, I just want to say I am really, really proud of you. I just hope that many, many years from now, when I’m older,” Parton said with a sly smirk, “I’ll know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. Anyway, we’ve been accused of it all through the years. You are retiring. You want to hold ‘em now?” Parton joked, pushing her chest toward Rogers. “He told me not to embarrass him,” Parton laughingly told the crowd as Rogers played along beside her.
“I don’t think anybody in the history of music has ever had a better ear for hit songs, nor could they sing them better than you,” Parton told Rogers. “I love your voice. I’ve really just been so honored and so proud to sing with you. We’ve become such good friends through the years,” Parton said, the emotions showing through her cracking voice.
They Saved “Islands In The Stream” For Last
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s closing set began with “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” followed by a touching (and hilarious) tribute from Parton to her duet partner. “I go on with a lot of foolishness, a lot of craziness because I like to have fun,” Parton began her song. “But there is a place deep in my country heart that goes beyond understanding…in that heart of mine, I have a spot for you. I’m going to hold you there forever. I want to sing this to you tonight just from me, okay? So, just sit there and take it,” Parton vamped before singing the opening lines to “I Will Always Love You.”
Finally, the famous duo closed their three-song set with their 1983 smash hit, “Islands in the Stream.” The pair sang as beautifully in tune as they did decades earlier, addressing each other and the crowd. Despite the tune’s sentimental effects, they didn’t lose their humor. The two of them teased each other away as Rogers mimicked Parton’s outstretched arms directly in front of her face. Parton laughingly shoved his arm away, and the two wrapped their arms around one another as they continued to sing.
Kenny Rogers died of natural causes at 81 in March 2020. “They told me my friend and singing partner had passed away,” Parton said in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after Rogers’ death. “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.”
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