Legendary singer Dolly Parton don pass away on August 25 at di age of 80. For di years before im death, im friend and music partner Kenny Rogers, wey die for 2020 at 81, still dey yarn about how im and Parton be close friends. One time, Rogers perform for Artis―Naples for late January 2017, and e talk about di bond wey im get with Parton.
Di chemistry between Rogers and Parton for dia 1983 hit ‘Islands in the Stream’ na so so powerful, many fans no believe say dem no be lovers. But na pure friendship and respect dem get for each other. As e be, dem also dey top di chart together with another hit song, ‘Real Love’, on August 24, 1985. Dat one be dia second number-one hit as duo, and e reach di top of Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
‘Real Love’ first hit country radio for April 1985 as di second single and title track from Parton’s 27th solo album of di same name. Di song na happy tune wey dey talk about real love, not infatuation. Even though e no blow for pop chart like ‘Islands in the Stream’, e still reach number 91 for Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 for adult contemporary chart.
Interesting tin be say Parton don already record solo version for November 1984, and e include am for im 1995 album ‘I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One’.
How dem become friends? Dem meet for studio to record ‘Islands in the Stream’, and dat song go numero uno for both country and pop chart, giving each of dem dia second pop chart-topper. Before dat, Rogers get number one with ‘Lady‘ for 1980, while Parton do same with ‘9 to 5’ for 1981. Slowly, dem develop close friendship, dem bond over how dem both grow up poor. Rogers grow up for Houston housing project, Parton for small one-room cabin for Smoky Mountains for Tennessee. Parton once talk, “We understood that world, and how much we wanted things.”
Because of dia closeness, pipo always dey ask if dem get something for each other. Parton bin joke say, “We didn’t have time!” Rogers also talk say, “I said we may have been tempted but we didn’t want to ruin a good friendship. I think it would have.”
Both of dem no too lack love for dia own lives. Parton marry Carl Dean, and dem stay together for nearly 60 years until Dean die for March 2025 at 82. Rogers marry plenty times, though Parton joke say e marry about 40 times. For record, na only five wives.
