Listen to Barry Gibb's demo of "Islands In The Stream" here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sFiADrl8XU

Kenny Rogers was born Kenneth Donald Rogers on August 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas. His family was not rich and often resorted to peanut butter sandwiches for meals to feed the 8 children family. He took on odd jobs as a child and won a talent show in 1949. He went to the University Of Houston for his education and began recording teenage rock songs and then country pop that allowed him to cross over to pop audiences. He joined The New Christy Minstrels (Green Green).

He wanted more success so he took three members of the Minstrels and formed The First Edition which hit big with the psychedelic "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" in 1968.

He ended that association in 1976 by going solo and signing with United Artists having some minor hits until "Lucille" made it to #5 on the Hot100 in 1977 that established him as a star.

When Kenny Rogers moved to RCA, he approached Barry Gibb to produce his first album with help from the Bee Gees. He thought an album of duets with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Barry Gibb among others would be a good idea but never got around to it. He then remembered that Barry Gibb had sent him a song previously so he contacted him.

Barry gave him his demo of "Islands In The Stream" and Kenny felt that Dolly Parton would be his dream duet partner for the song. He had already duetted with Kim Carnes, Dottie West and Sheena Easton and had great success so Dolly was a no brainer.

Kenny Rogers was born Kenneth Donald Rogers on August 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas. His family was not rich and often resorted to peanut butter sandwiches for meals to feed the 8 children family. He took on odd jobs as a child and won a talent show in 1949. He went to the University Of Houston for his education and began recording teenage rock songs and then country pop that allowed him to cross over to pop audiences. He joined The New Christy Minstrels (Green Green).

He wanted more success so he took three members of the Minstrels and formed The First Edition which hit big with the psychedelic "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" in 1968.

He ended that association in 1976 by going solo and signing with United Artists having some minor hits until "Lucille" made it to #5 on the Hot100 in 1977 that established him as a star.

When Kenny Rogers moved to RCA, he approached Barry Gibb to produce his first album with them. He thought an album of duets with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Barry Gibb among others would be a good idea. He remembered that Barry Gibb had sent him a song and he contacted him.

Barry gave him a demo of "Islands In The Stream" inspired by the Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name from 1970. Written for Diana Ross in an R&B style, she turned it down. Kenny felt that Dolly Parton would be his dream duet partner. He had already duetted with Kim Carnes, Dottie West and Sheena Easton and had great success.

"Islands In The Stream" hit #1 on the Hot100, Country and the Adult Contemporary charts, attained double platinum status and gold single status with over two and a half million units sold. It topped the CMT poll of the greatest Country Duets ever in 2005.

That success led Kenny & Dolly to record a Christmas album and in 1985 recorded another duet "Real Love" and it also hit #1 Country.