Kenny Rogers is the second studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers from United Artists Records, released in 1977. The album marked his first major solo success following the minor success of Love Lifted Me in 1976.
The album produced two singles. The first single, 1976's "Laura (What He's Got That I Ain't Got?)", peaked at #19. This song was originally a #1 country hit for Leon Ashley in 1967. In 1977, Kenny gained stardom with the single "Lucille", which climbed to the top of the country charts (both in the U.S. and Canada) and placing him squarely on the U.S. Hot 100 in the #5 position. It also blew open his solo career in the UK, reaching #1 there. Another track from the album is "I Wasn't Man Enough" which makes appearances on some of Rogers' greatest hits compilations in years to come.
This was the first of twelve No. 1 albums for Rogers on the Country chart. It ranked as high as #30 overall and was certified Platinum in the U.S. (also reaching Gold in Canada).
Track listing
Personnel Kenny Rogers – lead vocals Bobby Wood, Charles "Chuck" Cochran, George Richey, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Larry Butler – keyboards Shane Keister – Moog synthesizer Billy Sanford, Dale Sellers, David Kirby, Fred Carter Jr., Jerry Shook, Jimmy Capps, Johnny Christopher, Pete Wade, Ray Edenton, Reggie Young, Steve Gibson – guitars Pete Drake – steel guitar Joe Osborn – bass guitar Tommy Allsup – six-string bass guitar Bob Moore – upright bass Buddy Harman, Jerry Carrigan, Kenny Malone – drums, percussion Tommy Williams – violin Brenton Banks, Byron Bach, Carl Gorodetzky, Gary Vanosdale, George Binkley, Lennie Haight, Marvin Chantry, Pam Sixfin, Roy Christensen, Sheldon Kurland, Stephanie Woolf, Steven Smith – strings Bill Justis – string arrangements Bergen White, Buzz Cason, Don Gant, Johnny MacRae, The Jordanaires, Larry Keith, Steve Pippin – backing vocals
Production Producer – Larry Butler Engineers – Harold Lee and Billy Sherrill Recorded at American Studios and Jack Clement Recording Studios (Nashville, TN). Mastered by Bob Sowell at Master Control (Nashville, TN). Art Direction – Ria Lewerke Photography – David Brandenberg Typography – Michael Manoogian
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1977) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 61
Year-end charts Chart (1977) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 4
Certifications
References