Tell it all brother: Why you should dig the groovy music of Kenny Rogers and the First Edition

Learn all about the First Edition, a psychedelic country rock band fronted by Kenny Rogers a full decade before he assumed his middle of the road “Gambler” persona, from official group historian Mike Eder. In the accompanying still Hippie Kenny and the gang are all accounted for in some groovy threads in late 1969. Presenting the Spanish single 45 sleeve for “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” b/w “Reuben James.” Clockwise from top are bass guitarist-lead vocalist Rogers, drummer Mickey Jones, rhythm guitarist Kin Vassy, chanteuse Mary Arnold Miller, and lead guitarist Terry Williams. Image Credit: 45Cat user Bsf1975 / Warner Music Group

The First Edition, fronted by Kenny Rogers a full decade before he drifted towards mainstream country mega stardom, was a genre-bending band responsible for seven Top 40 hits, including “Just Dropped In [To See What Condition My Condition Was In]”, “But You Know I Love You,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Reuben James,” “Something’s Burning,” and “Tell It All Brother.”

Featuring co-commander Terry Williams on lead guitar, since deceased Bob Dylan drummer Mickey Jones, Mike Settle on rhythm guitar — replaced by Kin Vassy and later Jimmy Hassell — Thelma Camacho on vocals-tambourine — succeeded by Mary Arnold Miller — piano virtuoso Gene Lorenzo, and Rogers on bass, the group was certainly difficult to categorize during their eight-year sojourn.

The band was adept at delivering contemporary pop with socially conscious messages, hard rock, folk, ballads, or country at the drop of a hat. There were multiple lead singers, and the band composed and performed much of its own material. And who could forget the psychedelic image of “Hippie Kenny” — resplendent with long hair, bushy brown beard streaked with gray, groovy clothes, pink sunglasses and earring.

A record deal with Frank Sinatra’s hip Reprise Records signaled a band at the…