NEW YORK (AFP) - Country music legend Kenny Rogers announced on Friday that he would retire after a final tour, saying he felt "selfish" spending so much time away from his family.

The 77-year-old singer, best known for hits Lady and The Gambler, said he hoped to travel with his young sons.

"I'm going to do a big worldwide tour and it's going to be my last," Rogers told NBC television's Today show without announcing the dates.

"I've done this long enough," he said. "Sometimes there's a fine line between being driven and being selfish and I think I crossed that line when I was younger."

"I really want to be there with my kids and my wife. They're important to me and I don't see them enough."

Rogers, who has been married five times, has twin 11-year-old sons.

The singer said he would also release a sixth album of Christmas songs later this year.

Rogers was born in Texas and quickly became active in rockabilly, jazz and other genres that he brought into his country style.

His easygoing ballads and constant touring have won him mainstream pop appeal, as have his popular takes on Christmas standards.

Rogers also came to prominence through his collaboration with Dolly Parton and appearances on films and television programmes including The Muppet Show.