Kenny Rogers and the First Edition

Kenny Rogers and the First Edition
Promotional photo of The First Edition in early 1968
Promotional photo of The First Edition in early 1968
Background information
OriginCalifornia
Genres
Years active
  • 1967–1976
  • 2010
  • 2014–2015
Labels
Past membersKenny 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.

  1. ^ Markos (September 15, 2022). "Kenny Rogers And The First Edition: A Band On The Rise". Boy Sets Fire. Retrieved December 18, 2022. Kenny Rogers first found success as a member of the country-rock band The First Edition
  2. ^ Staff (March 21, 2020). "Kenny Rogers, Country and Pop Legend, Dies at 81". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2022. The Houston, Texas native — who carved out a successful pop/rock career with backing band the First Edition in the late 1960s
  3. ^ Staff. "First Edition Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 18, 2022. Hard to pigeonhole, they included elements of country, rock and psychedelic pop.