Kenny Rogers

Press, 7 March 1984, Page 4

Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers in concert at Queen Elizabeth II Park last evening. Reviewed by Warren Lapslie. After just one hour and five minutes of watching and listening to Kenny Rogers on stage at Queen Elizabeth H Park last evening it was easy to see how this country giant has sold more than $250 million worth of records. One would expect a display of lights and two video screens to accompany a rock concert, but Rogers seemed completely at ease singing “You are so Beautiful” accompanied by scenes

of his son, Christopher Cody, from moments after his birth through to his first steps. He maintained a similar style for “Coward of the County.” The audience remained captivated by this unique style and presentation. Rogers created an exceptional rapport with the 18,500-member audience with humour and comments on his recent visit to Australia. All the old favourite songs were there — “The Gambler,” “Something’s Burning,” “Lucille,” and “Ruby,” a hit single from

his First Edition days. The supporting artists — Jodie Vaughan, Gray Bartlett, and Brendan Dugan — gave of their best only to receive a mediocre audience response. It was unfortunate that their selection of songs was so predictable, and highlighted only by Vaughan’s latest release, “Rodeo Eyes,” and Dugan and Vaughan’s duet, “No Fool Like an Old Fool.” Their last number, “Y’all Come,” the popular closing theme from “That’s Country,” was possibly in poor taste at a concert of this calibre.