In 1980 Kenny Rogers wanted to do a soul album and was hoping to get some famous R&B groups to
back him up. One night between shows in Las Vegas, Bob Smith - the Riviera's stage manager -
came to the dressing room and told me that Lionel Richie and The Commodores were
downstairs and wanted to see Kenny. I brought them up and they told Kenny they
were his biggest fans. Lionel had written a song for Kenny and wanted to play it for
him. Kenny said he'd love to hear it and Lionel walked over to the upright piano. It was a
magical moment. The song was "Lady" and the rest is history.
"Lady" was on Kenny's Greatest Hits without having been on any other album.
This set a precedent in country music which everyone has since copied. -- Garth Shaw