CNN
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Country singer Mickey Gilley, finest often known as the pioneer of the “urban cowboy” model, died Saturday in Branson, Missouri, his publicist Zach Farnum stated. He was 86.
The Natchez, Mississippi native “passed peacefully” surrounded by household and shut associates, based on an announcement issued by Farnum. He had lately returned dwelling from the highway after taking part in 10 reveals in April, based on the assertion.
Gilley had 17 primary nation information, beginning with “Room Full of Roses” in 1974. Gilley additionally had main crossover success in 1980 with a country-flavored cowl of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” going to primary on the Billboard Hot Country listings and quantity three on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Gilley’s musical profession obtained new life with the movie “Urban Cowboy,” which starred John Travolta and was set at Gilley’s personal honky tonk membership in Pasadena, Texas. The film helped to popularize country-western tradition in city environments, together with mechanical bull using, which was the main target of the movie’s motion.
In 1989, Gilley was one of many first main nation singers to open his personal theater in Branson, Missouri, serving to to show the Ozark hamlet into a serious leisure tourism city. His publicist stated Gilley had simply completed a ten-show highway tour in April.
Gilley was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984. Among his survivors are fellow crossover music star Jerry Lee Lewis, Gilley’s cousin, finest identified for singing “Great Balls of Fire.”
He is survived by his spouse Cindy Loeb Gilley and his kids Kathy, Michael, Gregory and Keith Ray, in addition to 4 grandchildren and 9 nice grandchildren.
Numerous artists and associates publicly mourned the lack of Gille and shared recollections in tributes supplied by Nashville publicity agency 2911 Media.
“My heart will forever break over the loss of my dear friend Mickey Gilley,” American nation music singer Johnny Lee stated. “He believed in me when no one else did. Losing Gilley feels like a bad dream and sadly it’s not.”
Country singer T. Graham Brown additionally shared phrases of condolences, saying Gilley “lived a full life and left us with a great catalog of hits.”
“We just lost a great human being,” Brown stated. “One of the things that I’m most proud of is that over the years we have become close. The times we spent together doing shows, cruises, or just talking were a gift.”
