Kenny had been a member of The New Christy Minstrels when he and several other members leftr to form The First Edition. Their first hit, "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," was a psychedelic rock song that reached #5 on the Hot 100 in 1967. They recorded "Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town" in 1969, after which they moved more toward a country sound. This reached #6 on the Hot 100 and #2 in Canada.
Song of the Day: Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town”
Published
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
Great response to the song. I think I’ve heard it before. What did Kenny think of it?
LikeLike
I’m not sure. The same guys (Mel Tillis and Vic Dana) wrote both, and they also wrote “Ruby’s Reply,” which Dori Helms did…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like Kenny’s more rocking days…this one and the Condition song.
LikeLike
He should have given his rockin’ side more of a chance, that’s for certain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes he should have…I liked his voice and he had a cool look. It’s odd looking back because we know what happened.
LikeLike
Who knew then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
yea I know… I knew his stepson…went to school with him…very nice guy. He said that Kenny was a good guy and from what I hear he is.
Also went to school with Don Williams kid….the kid was awful but Don was a great guy. I met him more than once mowing the city’s park just to help out…
LikeLike
Don Williams was a big guy, wasn’t he?
I’ve heard that Kenny Rogers is a decent guy, and that makes all the difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes he was. A very giving guy also. He was always nice to me and the people he dealt with around me…His son didn’t pick up on it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, has he changed through the years!
LikeLike
Remember his first song with The First Edition?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! It was a great song, IMO!
LikeLike
And absolutely appropriate for the times. Don’t think he’d try doing that one again…
LikeLike
Such a sad, sad song.
LikeLike
Did you ever hear the response to it? Geraldine Stevens (who recorded “Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces” as Dodie Stevens) did it.
LikeLike