Kenny Rogers dies at age 81

American artist and legend of country music, Kenny Rogers, has died at the age of 81.

Rogers’ family issued a statement in which they announced that the Grammy award-winning star “passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas, of natural causes,” on Friday night.

In the statement, Rogers is described as someone who left an incredible mark on the history of American music. “His songs have endeared music lovers and touched the lives of millions around the world,” the family said.

The New-York Times reports that Rogers sold more than 100 million records in his career that spanned over seven decades.

Rogers has performed and composed with many other well-known artists such as Lionel Richie, with whom he wrote and performed the popular single “Lady”. Another single that reached number one on the pop chart was “Islands in the Stream”, which Rogers performed with Dolly Parton.

The family said they are planning a small private service at this time, out of concern for the Covid-19 emergency. They said they look forward to “celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date.”