Washington State University - Chinook Yearbook (Pullman, WA)

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A Yon gotta know when to hold 'e1n, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when lo ran. Yon never roant your money when yoa're sittin' al the tahle: there'll he time enough for coantzn' when the dealin' 2.5 clone. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers For more than eight thousand people, the night of Sept. 10, 1982 was no gam- ble. The deck was stacked in their favor, as the king ofpop country walked on the stage. His style and poise bespoke of an experienced dealer, dazzling the eye and The ambler Deals ouse to be the troubadour of love and heart- ache for all those who had risked the game. The sensitivity and truth of Kenny Rogers, as well as his music, is sweeping the nation. Some have said that his popu- larity has reached the intensity that was afforded the late Elvis Presley. On that September night in Pullman it seemed that no one would have disagreed. With an act polished with show- manship, Kenny Rogers is personable, has sex appeal and is generous, but most of all, he is undeniably real. For many, With an act polished with showmanship, Kenny Rogers impressing the ear. From Coward ofthe County to K'Lady, his colloquial style beckoned to those whose hearts had been broken and sorely mended. The K'Gambler dealt only aces as he proved is personable, has sex appeal and is generous, but most of all, he is undeniably realf, Kenny's stop in Pullman will be remem- bered as the night they struck it rich, the night they shared the state with what is fast becoming an American institution. There are few careers in the music industry that have been as big as Kenny 'v,,,t1-1-nnn--.-.--- ig,,',mj'QTiiiii33YiE5' '-'um ,Q-Q 'sKlX!lllY.lXlI1N', J nf'-fl Umuiiuumlll ll''i5f'5? i'IiR'll'lu'S'i'S'3 'i ' 2' i I l ,.,g.',r1:1.i':f,-ge.1::ga::at'2-?g T-'-fi' - 1 n plum., Hlxllillllujulil a 'HJguufltlkwusgig-g1,g.'a'av 'f?. 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'fqnfmiiht , ui 1-m522 ga 5gnniwlmunmulliul X 1-nvf mxulmuuni 111ll'vuiau:num.-'Lil'iiv11 QmliT '5 'l1uu'h glltllmll1l'llllIllll1u !l Rogersi With a dozen top ten singles, seven platinum albums and millions of record sales around the world, not to mention the television specials and mo- tion pictures, Kenny Rogers has become one of the most successful artists of his time. But, perhaps the most important aspect of Kenny Roger's current success is that it took him twenty years to achieve it. He is, in fact, no overnight sensation. From his humble beginnings in Houston, he was one ofeight children born to an alcoholic father. Rogers was an A student at Houstonls jefferson Davis High School and it was during high school that his musical interest be- gan. His first professional job as a musi- cian was with agroup of four friends who called themselves the Scholars. The group once drove over three hundred miles in a broken down Chevrolet to play forty minutes at an Air Force Base in San Antonio - their pay was thirteen dollars. After one year at the University of Houston, Kenny dropped out to play bass in a modern jazz group called the Bobby Doyle Trio. In 1966, Rogers was sf 1 -- rv-f'r.g'4 fuck., lllillllln i 3' . Z 'LEM ','l I ' I lf' ffl ,f X UgguQiiljgymvunnumllgil'ii.Waggag,,Qg',!,QTyi:'-i151,gffgiil'i.fIfJm::'i5f.lg: ,11nfJ'l1?fn1'Hluual2, Q Y X X Ab'-xzqyv' ,Mu Ill ull ii , ml .un I ts 011 I ye- .1 . ., lil.11ragfplllilll'yllaxqgglrhqI ,K- H-WU'lileuqmuaulllllllllaegz I:Ygs::::lll!' -'A Q QW 1 ff 'wif-X li' ,.fg1,.Lm,.mn'. , 9,1 In I 1 ia' '.,,.,,-lf 'ninth' I ll!! ,gjn uunwf XX r P 6 - gf.: 1li:ilY,.:wu A i .il mziainnuugqiv tim .rum A ur m.ug'.'.' pi if , 1 I 54,0 I2 iv, Ulxqyu, mulllllli 1.hi '.'llllllL lll'l'L, . mv 14. G lf I51 l'nl'.dl g,A UlllllUl f 'XX X 6 J N ,-5' 4 . 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asked to join the New Christy Minstrels, a group which experienced considerable success as a folk group during the early sixties. When Rogers left the Minstrels, he took with him three of its members - Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Comacho - and they formed the First Edition. The groupls first big hit was 'just Dropped In. Soon after that Rog- ers recorded the famous hit Ruby. At age thirty-eight, Kenny left the First Edition and turned to country. As a Since the birth of Lucille', Kenny's songs have been unique in that they describe a drama, teach a lesson or cle- scribe the heartaches of lovef' soloist it was not long before fame was upon him. The hit which made it all possible was about a woman who had left her hard working husband and four chil- dren and picked a fine time to do it: Lucille Since the birth of Lucille Kennyls songs have been unique in that they de- scribe a drama, teach a lesson or describe the heartaches of love and life. They have become a part of the American Heritage, songs we can identify with be- cause they tell ofthe common man -his .,. ss.. M. successes and his failures. Rogers found himself as the singing storyteller, croon- ing of our faults as well as, our virtues. Since that time, there rarely has been a week during which Kenny has not had a song high on the pop or country charts. But, singing has not been the only past- time of Kenny's of late, He has already starred in two television features: Cow- ard of the County and The Gam- bler , both named for two of his hit songs. His latest endeavor has been a motion picture in which Rogers plays a has-been stock car driver. The picture is Six Pack which promises to be as successful as his music. At forty-four, Rogers is far from a has- been. He has an income of over twenty million dollars a year and is looking to the future. With more albums on the way and possibly another movie, Rogers seems content. I am at the happiest time of my life and I wouldn't change a thing, Rogers claims. Even so, he sus- pects that his days as the king of pop country are limited. HI was on a hot spell that will probably wind down in a couple of years. But, then again, this kind of success was never important to me, he admits. I am basically a happy person. I would be happy ifI was a plumber - ifl had the creative outlet and a good family life. Whether Kenny is correct in saying that he may not be number one tomor- row, there is no denying the fact that he is today. His white peppered beard and slow, relaxed style have made him a cherished scene for millions of all ages the world over. His music is unique and touches the hearts of all who have shared his feelings about life. From his small beginnings in Houston to worldwide fame, one fact is apparent: Kenny will always be the common man's friend. Ifa stop in Pullman did not prove that, just listen to him sing and you will From his small beginnings in Houston to worldwide fame, one fact is apparent: Kenny will always be the common man's friend. hear of the common man's dreams and hopes and of his heartaches and losses . . . and you will believe. -- by joe Morlan