Introduction
At 81, Kenny Rogers Names the Five Artists He Hated Most – And His Reasons Might Surprise You
Kenny Rogers—the legendary voice of country and pop crossover—was known not just for his gravelly vocals and timeless hits like “The Gambler” and “Islands in the Stream,” but also for his honest, down-to-earth personality. He wasn’t one to sugarcoat the truth, especially when it came to his views on the music industry.
In one of his candid interviews near the end of his life, at age 81, Kenny surprised fans when he shared a curious and somewhat controversial list: the five artists he “couldn’t stand” throughout his career. But in classic Kenny fashion, it wasn’t a bitter rant—it was full of humor, honesty, and just the right touch of sass.
“I don’t hate anyone,” he said with a grin. “But there were a few folks I wouldn’t want to share a dressing room with.” While he didn’t name all five directly during the broadcast, sources close to him later revealed that most were artists with oversized egos, poor backstage manners, or an overly competitive nature that rubbed him the wrong way.
One name he hinted at was a well-known ‘90s country star who once publicly criticized Kenny’s music as “too soft.” Kenny’s response? Pure gold: “At least I don’t have to scream for people to feel something.”
Still, Kenny made it clear that he held no grudges. “I don’t carry hate with me. In the end, we’re all storytellers—some just tell the story better than others,” he said with a wink.
While the idea of Kenny Rogers naming names made headlines, longtime fans saw it as nothing more than the honest charm of a man who had seen it all. He wasn’t looking to stir up drama—he was just being himself: straightforward, funny, and unafraid to speak his mind.
And perhaps that’s part of what made Kenny Rogers so enduring. Even when saying things others wouldn’t dare, he did it with grace, humor, and a whole lot of heart.