637: GREATEST HITS | KENNY ROGERS AND THE FIRST EDITION

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition was a musical group that emerged in the late 1960s and achieved success in various genres, such as country, rock, and pop. The group was originally known as The First Edition, but changed its name to highlight the lead singer and bassist Kenny Rogers, who later became a solo superstar. The group consisted of Rogers, Mickey Jones on drums, Terry Williams on guitar, Mike Settle on rhythm guitar, and Thelma Camacho on vocals. They were known for their diverse and eclectic style, as well as their catchy songs and charismatic performances.

The group’s first hit was “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”, a psychedelic song that reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. The song was written by Mickey Newbury and featured a distinctive guitar riff and a trippy video. The song was later featured in the cult film The Big Lebowski (1998) and covered by artists such as Tom Jones, Willie Nelson, and Supergrass.

The group followed up with other hits, such as “But You Know I Love You”, “Tell It All Brother”, and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town”. The latter was a controversial song about a paralyzed Vietnam War veteran whose wife cheats on him. The song reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1969. It was written by Mel Tillis and covered by artists such as Johnny Darrell, Leonard Nimoy, and Cake.

The group also had a popular television show called Rollin’ on the River (later renamed Kenny Rogers and the First Edition), which aired from 1971 to 1973. The show featured musical guests, comedy sketches, and interviews. Some of the guests included Ike & Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, and Dolly Parton.

The group disbanded in 1976, after Rogers decided to pursue a solo career. He went on to become one of the most successful country artists of all time, with hits such as “The Gambler”, “Lady”, “Islands in the Stream”, and “We’ve Got Tonight”. He also starred in several movies and TV shows based on his songs. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association in 2017.

The other members of the group also had their own careers after the breakup. Jones became an actor and appeared in films such as Total Recall (1990), Sling Blade (1996), and Tin Cup (1996). Williams became a producer and songwriter for artists such as Kenny Loggins, Kim Carnes, and Michael McDonald. Settle continued to write songs and perform as a solo artist. Camacho left the music industry and became a teacher.

The group reunited briefly in 2010 for a PBS special called Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years, which celebrated Rogers’ career. They also performed together in 2014 and 2015 for Rogers’ farewell tour.