May 22, 20211 min read

Something's Burning - Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (1970) 5/22/21

Some really cool links to follow today! Read on!

Before Kenny Rogers was KENNY ROGERS, he was a member of folk music's New Christy Minstrels--but only long enough to record a song you've heard on the radio every Holiday season since 1966: "We Need a Little Christmas" (from the Broadway musical "Mame," and originally sung by Angela Lansbury!) Also in the Minstrels at that time: Kim Carnes!

How's THAT for some trivia!? But wait...I've got more!

In 1967, several of the Minstrels (but not Kim) broke away and formed The First Edition, with Kenny as lead singer. Before long, they started releasing all sorts of hits, beginning with 1968's "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In"). (#5 on the Hot 100)

That little piece of psychedelic rock was certainly an anomaly in Kenny's career...and by 1970, the group was already steering itself toward country music --with songs like 1969''s #6 hit, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love to Town), written by Mel Tillis, and a country-rock ballad that reached #11 on the Hot 100, and became a "Great Song of 1970:" "Something's Burning!"

Oh, and one last bit of trivia: "Something's Burning was written by Mac Davis!

"Something's Burning" by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition:" a "Great Song of 1970" catching Kenny right before he became KENNY!!