Country music icon Kenny Rogers dies of natural causes aged 81 as family is planning...

03-21-2020 • https://www.dailymail.co, By JUSTIN ENRIQUEZ

Country music icon Kenny Rogers has died aged 81, his family have revealed.

The star passed away of natural causes at his home in Sandy Springs, in northern Fulton County, Georgia, and his family issued a statement announcing his death on Saturday morning.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rogers are planning to have a small private service at this time with a public memorial at a later date.

The statement read: '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 husky-voiced balladeer retired from touring in 2017 after a 60-year career spanning jazz, folk, country and pop, with hits like, The Gambler, Lucille, and Lady.

Kenny sold tens of millions of albums, won three Grammys and was the star of TV movies based on The Gambler and other songs, earning him super stardom in the 70s and 80s.