After the news of Kenny Roger’s passing known as the “Gambler” — one of his best and closest collaborators was Dolly Parton, and she took his death seriously and paid her tribute via an emotional video posted to her social media.
“I know that we all know that Kenny is in a better place than we are today and I’m pretty sure that he’s going to be talking to God sometime today… and he’s going to be asking him to spread some light on a bunch of this darkness,” Parton said during her tribute. “I loved Kenny with all my heart. My heart’s broken. A big ol’ chunk of it has gone with him today.”
“And I think I can speak for all of his family, friends, and fans when I say, ‘I will always love you,’” she added.
In the clip below, Parton was holding a photograph of them together.
“I just happen to have this picture… of us,” she said through tears. “I know you’re sad as I am.”
You never know how much you love somebody until they’re gone. I’ve had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend. pic.twitter.com/hIQLIvt8pr
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 21, 2020
Parton collaborated with Rogers several times, including the No.1 hit “Islands in the Stream.” Both have also shared the stage together several times, including Rogers’s farewell concert in Nashville in October 2017.