Following the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton, who was beloved for her decades of music, generosity, and unforgettable career, it’s worth looking back at one of her most meaningful farewell performances.
The year was 2017, and Kenny Rogers was preparing to say goodbye to the stage with his farewell concert, “All In For The Gambler.”
For the special night, Rogers was joined by none other than Dolly Parton, as the two reunited to perform one of their biggest hits, the timeless 1983 classic “Islands In The Stream.”
Watch Kenny Rogers And Dolly Parton Perform Their Final Duet Of “Islands In The Stream”
Kenny Rogers, who passed away at the age of 81 in 2020, held his farewell concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2017.
“Tonight is as much about me saying ‘thank you’ as it is ‘goodbye,’” Rogers told the crowd that evening.
Standing beside him, Dolly Parton added, “I can’t think of anybody I would rather sail away with.”
The longtime friends then performed one of their most cherished duets, “Islands In The Stream,” a song written by the Bee Gees and originally recorded for Rogers’ 1983 album, Eyes That See In The Dark.
In a 2017 interview with People Magazine, later quoted by Blackbird Presents, Rogers explained how the iconic collaboration came together.
“It all started when Barry Gibb wrote ‘Islands in the Stream,’ and he gave it to me to record — he was producing an album,” Rogers recalled.
After listening to the song repeatedly for several days following his solo recording, Rogers began to feel that something was missing.
“I finally said, ‘Barry, I don’t even like this song anymore,’” Rogers remembered. Gibb then suggested the perfect solution: “You know what we need? We need Dolly Parton.”
As fate would have it, Parton was recording another project at a nearby studio. When she came in and began singing, everything changed.
“Once she came in and started singing, the song was never the same. It took on a personality of its own,” Rogers said.
The collaboration became one of country music’s most beloved duets, and the pair would perform “Islands In The Stream” together many times throughout the years.
But their performance at Rogers’ 2017 farewell concert was especially meaningful. It marked the final time the legendary duo would perform the song together onstage.
Now, years after that unforgettable farewell duet, the world is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80.
On August 25, after Parton’s family announced her death, Kenny Rogers’ family shared a heartfelt statement honoring the special bond the two stars shared.
“It’s painstakingly hard to put into words what you meant to Kenny…and to all of us,” the family wrote.
They continued:
“When the two of you sang about being islands in the stream who together had found peace unknown, having real love for each other as true friends who would always stand by each other, and how you just can’t make old friends, it was always as genuine as it could possibly be…coming straight from the heart and reflecting what you both felt for each other.”
Kenny Rogers’ family also expressed their gratitude to Dolly for the happiness she brought into their lives.
“Saying a simple, yet sincere thank you could never be enough for bringing so much joy, laughter, and amazing songs and stories into our lives.”
Their final performance of “Islands In The Stream” remains a beautiful reminder of the extraordinary chemistry, friendship, and musical connection Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers shared.
Take a look back at the legendary duo’s final performance of “Islands In The Stream” below.