Following the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton, who was beloved for her decades of music, generosity, and unforgettable career, it\u2019s worth looking back at one of her most meaningful farewell performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The year was 2017, and Kenny Rogers was preparing to say goodbye to the stage with his farewell concert, \u201cAll In For The Gambler.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cIslands In The Stream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kenny Rogers, who passed away at the age of 81 in 2020, held his farewell concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTonight is as much about me saying \u2018thank you\u2019 as it is \u2018goodbye,\u2019\u201d Rogers told the crowd that evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standing beside him, Dolly Parton added, \u201cI can\u2019t think of anybody I would rather sail away with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The longtime friends then performed one of their most cherished duets, \u201cIslands In The Stream,\u201d a song written by the Bee Gees and originally recorded for Rogers\u2019 1983 album, Eyes That See In The Dark<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a 2017 interview with People Magazine<\/em>, later quoted by Blackbird Presents, Rogers explained how the iconic collaboration came together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt all started when Barry Gibb wrote \u2018Islands in the Stream,\u2019 and he gave it to me to record \u2014 he was producing an album,\u201d Rogers recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After listening to the song repeatedly for several days following his solo recording, Rogers began to feel that something was missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI finally said, \u2018Barry, I don\u2019t even like this song anymore,\u2019\u201d Rogers remembered. Gibb then suggested the perfect solution: \u201cYou know what we need? We need Dolly Parton.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As fate would have it, Parton was recording another project at a nearby studio. When she came in and began singing, everything changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOnce she came in and started singing, the song was never the same. It took on a personality of its own,\u201d Rogers said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The collaboration became one of country music\u2019s most beloved duets, and the pair would perform \u201cIslands In The Stream\u201d together many times throughout the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But their performance at Rogers\u2019 2017 farewell concert was especially meaningful. It marked the final time the legendary duo would perform the song together onstage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, years after that unforgettable farewell duet, the world is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On August 25, after Parton\u2019s family announced her death, Kenny Rogers\u2019 family shared a heartfelt statement honoring the special bond the two stars shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s painstakingly hard to put into words what you meant to Kenny\u2026and to all of us,\u201d the family wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen 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\u2019t make old friends, it was always as genuine as it could possibly be\u2026coming straight from the heart and reflecting what you both felt for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Kenny Rogers\u2019 family also expressed their gratitude to Dolly for the happiness she brought into their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSaying a simple, yet sincere thank you could never be enough for bringing so much joy, laughter, and amazing songs and stories into our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their final performance of \u201cIslands In The Stream\u201d remains a beautiful reminder of the extraordinary chemistry, friendship, and musical connection Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look back at the legendary duo\u2019s final performance of \u201cIslands In The Stream\u201d below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n