Per a Tweet by Harrah's Cherokee Casino, Kenny Rogers cancelled his remaining farewell tour dates to recover from undisclosed "health challenges." Billed The Gambler's Last Deal in honor of the 79-year-old Hall of Famer's best-known song, Rogers' world tour began in 2015.
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SHOW CANCELLED: @_KennyRogers has been working through a series of health challenges. His doctors fully expect the outcome to be great, but they have advised him to cancel all performances through the end of the year to focus on recuperation.
— Harrah's Cherokee (@HarrahsCherokee) April 4, 2018
The release sent to venues includes a message from Rogers that reveals the motive behind his final shows.
"I didn't want to take forever to retire," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on 'The Gambler's Last Deal' tour. I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they've given me throughout my career and the happiness I've experienced as a result of that."
Read More: Kenny Rogers' 'The Gambler' Added to National Recording Registry
New York's Beacon Theatre and Reno's Silver Legacy Resort shared a similar message on social media. Other effected tour stops include a set at Stagecoach in California and an appearance at the Livewire festival in the U.K.
Notice that doctors suggested cancelling all performances this year and expect at least a partial recovery. That leaves open hope that Rogers might perform again in 2019. If not, he leaves behind one of the handful of careers to turn a country singer into a household name.
