Parton, 71, and Rogers, 78, have collaborated on a handful of songs over the course of their careers including “Islands in the Stream” and “Real Love” and will most likely preform the former during the final concert.
Rogers, who’s career has spanned over 60 years, announced that his final concert will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on October 25. In addition to his duet with Parton, many other stars and bands will be performing including The Flaming Lips, Idina Menzel, Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Elle King, and Jamey Johnson. More names are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Parton, who is also planning on retiring from touring, and Rogers have preformed together for more than 30 years beginning after the 1983 release of “Islands in the Stream.”
Said Rogers of the concert in a statement, “It’s going to a great night, and I’m going to be proud of it and it’s more for me to say thank you and say bye to those people than it is for them to say thank you to me. It’s kind of fun for me to think about the chance to get together with everybody one last time.”
Parton also released a statement about Rogers, the concert, and the duet. “Kenny is like a family member to me. We have been friends for over 30 years and made musical magic together. Since 1983, when we released ‘Islands In The Stream,’ everyone has had an expectation to see Kenny everywhere I go and me with him wherever he goes. Well, I guess for many of those fans that wanted to see us together, this will be that night. Performing with Kenny for the last time ever on October 25th is going to emotional for both of us, but it’s also going to be very special. Even though Kenny may be retiring, as he fades from the stage, our love for each other will never fade away.”
Over the course of his career, Rogers produced 24 number one hits, won six Country Music Association Awards, three Grammy awards, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.