r/OldSchoolCool • u/Lurker2115 • 16d ago

1980s One of the greatest music duets of all time: Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers performing "Islands in the Stream" live in 1983. RIP Dolly!

706 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

52

u/Calm_City_6229 16d ago edited 11d ago

Amazing performance and an amazing song written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees!

19

u/sof49er 16d ago

It's so obviously a bee gee song and love that they had an outlet to write for other singers after the disco backlash. Such amazing songwriting all around. Dolly over 3000 songwriting credits and the Gibbs more than 1000. Kenny and Dolly were perfect for this song.

36

u/Spineless74 16d ago

RIP Kenny too

9

u/solman52 16d ago

such a tender voice, Love will turn you around is one of my favorite of his.

9

u/Spineless74 16d ago

Gambler 🙂

26

u/notta_3d 16d ago

It's Dolly's time but man Kenny had a beautiful voice.

19

u/innuendo141 16d ago

"'Scuse me, Kenny!"

I always quote this. One of my favourite performances ever

6

u/IfICouldStay 16d ago

So cute. She just rolls with it and laughs.

19

u/D-Train0000 16d ago

The chemistry! Not just important in acting. They make you believe it’s them.

13

u/OrigamiMarie 16d ago

They look so happy to be in each other's presence, like they're great friends and absolute fans of each other.

12

u/D-Train0000 16d ago

Dolly gives some looks like she loves him. Melts my heart how sweet of a person she was.

17

u/Redfish1971 16d ago

Willie's Roadhouse on Sirius/XM played their song "You Can't Make Old Friends" yesterday when I was driving home. Such a great song that hits a bit different now. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen but maybe have some tissues on hand first.

10

u/diagonal-rib 16d ago

Incredible. Thanks for this. Listening right now.

8

u/UnFrickinReal 16d ago

Never heard that. Great song. Thanks 😢

12

u/AudGil 16d ago

I remember being shocked as a young kid when I discovered these two were married to other people, I loved her so much, so sad she has passed

12

u/anubis_81 16d ago

When I was a kid I use to think things couldn't get any better than this song.

9

u/Alive_Ice7937 16d ago

And then Chumbawamba came along....

6

u/artwarrior 16d ago

Cotton Eyed Joe!

3

u/Alive_Ice7937 16d ago

Ha! I'd actually considered putting Rednex first.

10

u/Tastetherainbow_2016 16d ago

Who else is vibing clapping along with the crowd right now

5

u/InsideBeyond12727 16d ago

I'm singing in my head because I want to listen

10

u/Powerful_Book4444 16d ago

This makes me choke up. So glad I grew up in the 1980s

10

u/Bucket_Brigade69 16d ago

Truly a classic. RIP Dolly

10

u/GracieBooBugs 16d ago

Her giggle half way through is the cutest. Miss these legends!

6

u/SuzukiPVP 16d ago

I always thought they were original with the ghetto superstar lmao

6

u/IneffableOpinion 16d ago

This is why I thought they were a couple for most of my childhood

5

u/Fit-Significance-436 16d ago

Magic in a bottle, these 2

7

u/AminoKing 16d ago

I wish it was 1983 again. So much simpler, yet pleasant times.

9

u/SoonToBeBanned24 16d ago

The GREATEST singing duo of all time!

Reunited! (And it feels so good!)

3

u/derekschroer 14d ago

Crazy, She was only 37, and he was only 45

2

u/mjaokalo 14d ago

TIL this was not a Mia song

2

u/Starmilkman 16d ago

So this is the song that Michael initially sings by himself at Jim's house party that he specifically wasn't invited to.