Global InformationKenny Rogers and The First Edition information
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Kenny Rogers and the First Edition | |
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 Promotional photo of The First Edition in early 1968 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | California |
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| Past members | Kenny Rogers Mickey Jones Terry Williams Mike Settle Thelma Camacho Mary Arnold Kin Vassy Jimmy Hassell John Hobbs Gene Lorenzo |
Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, until 1970 billed as The First Edition, were an American rock band. The band's style was difficult to singularly classify, as it incorporated elements of country, rock and psychedelic pop.[3] Its stalwart members were Kenny Rogers (lead vocals and bass guitar), Mickey Jones (drums and percussion) and Terry Williams (guitar and vocals). The band formed in 1967, with folk musician Mike Settle (guitar and backing vocals) and the operatically trained Thelma Camacho (lead vocals) completing the lineup.[citation needed]
As the counterculture of the 1960s was developing, the First Edition signed with Reprise Records in 1967 and had their first big hit in early 1968 with the psychedelic single "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" (US No. 5). After other chart hits, "But You Know I Love You" (US No. 19) and "Tell It All Brother" (US No. 17), the group, newly billed as "Kenny Rogers and the First Edition", once again hit the top ten, this time in 1969 with the topical "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (US No. 6, UK No.2).
For the next six years, the First Edition enjoyed worldwide success. By the mid-1970s, frontman Kenny Rogers had embarked on a solo music career, becoming one of the top-selling country artists of all time.
- ^ Markos (September 15, 2022). "Kenny Rogers And The First Edition: A Band On The Rise". Boy Sets Fire. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
Kenny Rogers first found success as a member of the country-rock band The First Edition
- ^ Staff (March 21, 2020). "Kenny Rogers, Country and Pop Legend, Dies at 81". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
The Houston, Texas native — who carved out a successful pop/rock career with backing band the First Edition in the late 1960s
- ^ Staff. "First Edition Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
Hard to pigeonhole, they included elements of country, rock and psychedelic pop.