The beloved singer was tormented over his unrequited love for country queens Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, choosing his career over family life — and the tragedy of not seeing his twin boys grow to manhood, insiders revealed.
Despite that, before he passed away on March 20 at age 81, Kenny realized he’d lived a full and remarkable life — and Dolly was one of the first to pay tribute to him.
“I think that I could speak for all his family, friends and fans when I say ‘I Will Always Love You,’ ” said a devastated Dolly.
Dolly sang with Kenny on the chart-topping 1983 hit “Islands in the Stream,” and the two recorded numerous duets over the years.
Their partnership was so dynamic, rumors swirled it had gone beyond professional — and Kenny hinted he was sorry it never did.
“She’s one of the sexiest women I’ve ever met!” he once gushed. “There was always tremendous electricity between us and I will always love her!”
Despite that, an insider claimed the two agreed not to pursue a romance, so they wouldn’t “destroy their friendship and their families.”
Kenny was also close to Reba — and comforted the “Fancy” singer after she lost eight band and crew members in a 1991 plane crash shortly before the two began filming the TV movie
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