Kenny Rogers when he was a rocker

[Cory rich40]

He was a rocker on MAD TV. Remember the Family Values performance. I never understood the MAD TV obsession with him. It was hilarious though. I also remember their duets of a lifetime with him singing with Bjork, and Marilyn Manson and Cher. Actually Cher could have potentially been believable with the right period in her career

 

[factory presets]

Never really a "rocker" though.

Well my dad hated it, when I was like 10. So that was rocking enough for me.

Used to rush home and watch their show every week for that reason alone.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

This is my personal favorite of his. The bass is fantastic! It's a fun one to play!

 

[Indiana Mike]

He was quoted once answering the question “ why bass” something like,

“ there’s more calls for bad bass players than good guitar players “

lol

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

I had a cousin in Detroit that was living Ruby, Don't take your love to town. He had gotten back a year or so before that song came out. Definitely a case of art imitating life. He ended up pulling it together and taught at Wayne State. Can't help thinking about him every time I hear that song.

Rezdog

 

[skyline_01]

The drummer was Mickey Jones. You might remember him as the drummer in Doyle's band in Sling Blade.

Bassically, Michael

Came here to say this. RIP Mickey too.

 

[HardNHeavy]

wow havent heard that song in 45yrs...never knew he was a decent bass plyr

 

[BigJohnAZ]

Came here to say this. RIP Mickey too.

And, he was a recurring character on "Home Improvement".

 

[BigJohnAZ]

This is my personal favorite of his. The bass is fantastic! It's a fun one to play!

Never heard this! I can see this would be fun. Thanks!

 

[Altitude]

Reminds me of this book he released back in the 80s. The first band manager I ever worked with put this in my hands and it was a revelation. I’d have to go back and see if anything in it still applies all these years later. Great book at least then, though.

Making It With Music: Kenny Rogers' Guide to the Music Business https://a.co/d/jhetjDW

 

[Gluvhand]

This is the print version, obviously, but I vaguely remember the TV commercial as well.

 

[skyline_01]

And, he was a recurring character on "Home Improvement".

Yep, I remember that one too. He was one of those "hey, it's that guy!" actors... I particularly enjoyed him as "Hot Rod' Dunham in Justified.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Kenny played DB in jazz groups as a teen. He aspired to play avant bop like Charlie Haden.

 

[shadven]

Is his bass a 51 reissue or a Tele? I'm not into the Fender line all that much.

I do dig the tone.

I ran into him about 30ish years ago at Southlake Mall in NW Indiana. My wife and I attended a show at Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Indiana on a Friday night, we stayed at the co-joining hotel. Saturday morning, we had breakfast, and a little later headed over to the mall, which was kitty corner to the venue/hotel. We were walking around, and ended up at one end of the mall where one of the anchors were. We were heading one way, and I looked over across to the other side, and I saw Kenny with his current wife at the time. I didn't want to make a scene, as no one recognized him, so I caught his eye, and gave him a typical wassup head nod. He smiled and nodded back, and you could tell he was happy I didn't call his name. He was probably performing that evening and was enjoying some private time, chilling in the mall with his wife. I thought those few seconds of non verbal exchange were so cool, and still do.

It's a Telecaster Bass 1968-1971. I have one now and I've had several. It's one of my favorites.

 

[shadven]

The drummer was Mickey Jones. You might remember him as the drummer in Doyle's band in Sling Blade.

Bassically, Michael

Great bit of information!!

 

[HP Hovercraft]

wow havent heard that song in 45yrs...never knew he was a decent bass plyr

Never saw The Big Lebowski?

 

[shadven]

He used to play jazz. There’s videos on YouTube of him playing upright in “light jazz” performances.

He can really play. Nice!

 

[HardNHeavy]

Never saw The Big Lebowski?

i have recently but dont remember every scene...thats a movie ya gotta watch several times

 

[rodak]

Excellent, clip, thanks!

What's with the speaker cabs (and one amp head) facing backwards? Was that a way of keeping stage volume low and giving the sound man more control? Sounds like possibly a good idea, but in 50+ years of watching and playing in bands, I don't think I've ever seen (or noticed, anyway) that being done).

 

[Cory rich40]

This is the print version, obviously, but I vaguely remember the TV commercial as well.

Now I know where MAD TV got the Hi I’m Kenny Rogers line when they would do a skit