Rogers’ show all a pop
fan could ask for

The Greatest Hits: Kenny Rogers performs with the Honolulu Symphony and guest Melveen Leed, 7:30 p.m. today, Blaisdell Concert Hall, tickets $7.50-$50; call 538-8863.

Thursday story

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

KENNY Rogers easily earned a standing ovation last night. He also showed talent as a comedian as he and his seven-piece band opened the Honolulu Symphony's Centennial Pops Concert season at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Rogers' 80-minute set had almost everything a Top 40 fan could ask for. He sang most of his significant solo hits and also included "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" from his days as Kenny Rogers & The First Edition. He quickly got the crowd solidly on his side with some imaginative gambits in audience participation and never lost their hearts and minds thereafter. He was in control throughout and delivered a great performance.

Rogers sang "The Gambler" while a highlight film showed scenes from the long-running television saga. "Lucille" was a spontaneous sing-along. "Lady" showed him at his serious and romantic best.

"She Believes In Me," "You Decorated My Life," and an abbreviated G-rated version of "Coward Of The Country" were among the stops along the way. He also included his current All-American hit, "The Greatest," and capped the set with a solo rendition of "Islands In The Stream" before returning for a short encore.

The Symphony musicians were silent observers for much of Rogers' performance. They distinguished themselves earlier as Pops Conductor Matt Catingub took them through a medley of hapa-haole melodies in the short opening portion of the program.

Melveen Leed added a note of levity as she joined in with a three-song set that included none of her "Hawaiian country" standards. Leed was in good form and left the audience wanting more.