Originally Performed By | Kenny Rogers |
Original Album | The Gambler (1978) |
Music | Schlitz |
Lyrics By | Schlitz |
Vocals | Kenny Rogers (lead); Trey, Page, Mike, Fish (backing) |
Phish Debut | 2012-06-10 |
Last Played | 2012-06-10 |
Current Gap | 516 |
Historian | Tim Wade (TheEmu) |
Last Update | 2012-11-10 |
“The Gambler” was penned in 1976 by Don Schlitz, at the time “an unknown songwriter from North Carolina.” Schlitz recorded and even charted with the song, but it was when it was paired with the voice of Kenny Rogers that “The Gambler” became a classic, rising to number one on the Billboard Country chart and number 16 on the Pop chart in 1979. “The Gambler” would become Rogers’ signature tune and, in the process, make Don Schlitz’s career.
Rogers would proceed to become a Country and Pop legend, winning numerous awards and collaborating with Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes, and The Bee Gees. He would star both on film and television, including several TV movies based on “The Gambler.” Rogers was a performer on one of the biggest singles ever recorded (1985’s “We Are the World”) and even made a guest appearance on The Muppet Show.
Phish has shared the stage with a number of legends, including B.B. King, George Clinton, Carlos Santana, and Neil Young. On 6/10/12, they would add Kenny Rogers to this list when Rogers joined the band at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival to perform “The Gambler.” Taking the stage, Kenny remarked that he thought his appearance would be “a bit of letdown” following "Axilla." The sit in, though, was a treat for the fans and a thrill for the band. “The Gambler” was performed in standard, though still smile-inducing fashion, then was teased in the subsequent “Possum,” whose country-rock main riff is somewhat reminiscent of Rogers’ tune.
Kenny Rogers, "The Gamber", 1978
Phish.net is a non-commercial project run by Phish fans and for Phish fans under the auspices of the all-volunteer, non-profit Mockingbird Foundation.
This project serves to compile, preserve, and protect encyclopedic information about Phish and their music.
Credits | Terms Of Use | Legal | DMCA
The Mockingbird Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Phish fans in 1996 to generate charitable proceeds from the Phish community.
And since we're entirely volunteer – with no office, salaries, or paid staff – administrative costs are less than 2% of revenues! So far, we've distributed over $2 million to support music education for children – hundreds of grants in all 50 states, with more on the way.