DESPITE their on-stage chemistry, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton have never pushed their relationship past the friendship zone. “We flirted with each other for 30 years, and it was much more electric,” said Rogers, 76, to Dan Rather in an AXS TV interview airing Tuesday.
“I think once you consummate a relationship like that, it loses something. And she and I both believe that theory, so we did some massive flirting in front of the nation, but there was never anything more than that.”
The pair sparked a life-long friendship after their 1983 hit “Islands in the Stream” and most recently Rogers and Parton, 68, reunited on a new song about their close friendship, “You Can’t Make Old Friends” in 2013.
Rogers added that he adores Parton, especially her no filter attitude.
“If she thinks it, she says it,” quipped Rogers. “Dolly has no filter. If it goes in her mind, it comes out her mouth, she doesn’t stop to think ‘maybe I shouldn’t say that.’”
Rogers shared an example of her trademark sass: “She came over and put her arms around me and she said, ‘Kenny, I just want you to know something; I could never sing at your funeral,’” recalled Rogers. He immediately shot back, “’So, we’re assuming I’m going first, is that what you’re saying?’”
