March 15, 2021, 12:08
Lionel Richie pays homage to his late friend Kenny Rogers in the emotional performance of ‘Lady’.
Photo: Getty
Lionel Richie played at this year’s Grammy Awards with a moving compliment to his longtime friend Kenny Rogers.
Lionel Richie took to the stage Sunday night (March 14) to sing in honor of his late friend and colleague, Kenny Rogers.
He sang the classic poem Kenny ‘Lady’, written by Lionel and which changed the roles of the two men.
The American Idol The judge appeared in a long black trenchcoat in front of a backdrop showing various images of Kenny Rogers.
“I miss you, Kenny,” Lionel said at the end of his performance. “I miss you, man.”
‘Lady’ was the song that saw Lionel Richie make his first steps as a solo artist, after several successful years as the Commodores’ lead singer.
The song was sent to Kenny Rogers, and when Lionel played a demo version for him, Kenny asked him to finish it specifically for him.
Kenny recorded ‘Making’ with Lionel in 1980, and it became one of his greatest songs. They also launched Kenny as a top pop player in the 1980s.
It was not long before Lionel took that confidence in songwriting to new levels, becoming a solo image in itself.
Kenny and Lionel were close friends until Kenny’s death on March 20, 2020, at the age of 81.