The celebrated singer-songwriter charted with such hits as “Room Full of Roses,” “Lonely Nights” and “Stand by Me.”
Mickey Gilley, the flamboyant country music great who influenced both the urban cowboy movement and the Urban Cowboy movie of the 1970s and ‘80s, passed away Saturday in Branson, Missouri. He was 86.
According to a statement released by his publicist, Gilley “had just come off of the road, his favorite place, having played ten shows in April. He passed peacefully with his family and close friends by his side.”
A native of Natchez, Mississippi, Gilley was widely credited as influencing generations of country music artists with his signature combination of Louisiana rhythm and blues and country-pop crossover melodies. He grew up with two famous cousins — singer Jerry Lee Lewis and evangelist Jimmy Swaggart — and borrowed from both: He learned how to play piano from Lewis and dabbled in gospel music as well as boogie-woogie early in his career before finding his professional footing in the ‘70s with “Room Full of Roses.” He followed up with such hits as “Chains of Love,” “Honky Tonk Memories,” “She’s Pulling Me Back Again” and “Here Comes the Hurt Again” during a career in which his charted 39 Top 10 hits and 17 No. 1 songs.
In 1971, Gilley opened his world-famous honky-tonk Gilley’s in Pasadena, Texas, which sparked a chain of the famous nightclubs and inspired “The Urban Cowboy — Saturday Night Fever, Country & Western Style,” a much-read Esquire Magazine article that later served as the basis for the smash-hit film Urban Cowboy starring John Travolta.
Mayor of Pasadena Jeff Wagner paid tribute to Gilley on Saturday: “His talent and larger-than-life personality helped ignite a new interest in country music as he introduced the world to Pasadena through his dance hall and Urban Cowboy in 1980. We were so honored to have Mickey perform at our State of the City in February, 2020. Our prayers for comfort and peace are with Mickey’s family, his loved ones and his fans.”
Gilley’s served as the backdrop for Urban Cowboy, which helped launch the singer-songwriter’s acting career and put his music career on a whole new level. He went on to guest star in popular television series including Murder She Wrote, The Fall Guy, Fantasy Island and Dukes of Hazzard even as he continued to be a fixture on the country and pop charts with original music and covers of such songs as “Stand by Me” (on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack), “True Love Ways” and “You Don’t Know Me.”
Gilley received numerous awards and accolades during his decades-long career, including a Grammy Award, six Academy of Country Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and, in 2011, induction into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He was one of only a handful of artists to receive the Academy of Country Music's Triple Crown Awards. He is survived by his wife Cindy Loeb Gilley; his children Kathy, Michael, Gregory and Keith Ray;, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; and his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart.
Among the friends and admirers who saluted Mickey Gilley on Saturday:
Johnny Lee
“My heart will forever break over the loss of my dear friend Mickey Gilley. He believed in me when no one else did. Losing Gilley feels like a bad dream and sadly it’s not. He loved his fans more than anything in the world and taught me everything I needed to know about country music. He always told me if I thought it was going to rain, to always grab my umbrella. My prayers are with Cindy during this very difficult time.”
David Frizzell
“Mickey Gilley and I have been friends since his Urban Cowboy and my Any Which Way You Can movie days. We had performed a lot around the country together and especially at his Gilley’s club in Texas. We had quite a time! Gonna miss you!”
Janie Fricke
“I enjoyed working on Mickey Gilley records as a backup singer, with the great Eddie Kilroy as producer. One of the first big concerts I played was Gilley’s in Pasadena, Texas, and was amazed at the bucking bull machine! Mickey’s image and memory will be forever.”
TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang
“Just when we think our hearts can’t take anymore, we get the news that our dear close friend Mickey Gilley has passed. He truly altered the course of country music. Doing concerts with him through the years was always an incredible experience. We were fortunate to have gotten to see one of his last concerts just recently. His voice was great and strong as ever. Our prayers are with Cindy, the family, and his many fans. Rest easy our friend and know that you will be deeply missed.”
Crystal Gayle
“I am heartbroken by the passing of Mickey Gilley. I started out my career opening for Mickey. He was such a great person and entertainer. I have loved him ever since.”
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys
“Once again we have lost another country music star and a long-time friend. Rest In Peace Mickey Gilley until we all sing again. In the meantime, we will miss you brother.”
Lacy J. Dalton
“Mickey and I did so many shows together. I feel Mickey and Johnny are like brothers from another mother and this loss hits hard and he will be sorely missed. I truly respect him as a musician and he was a great entertainer. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Graham Brown
“We just lost a great human being. Mickey Gilley has been honky-tonkin’ since the ’50s. Urban Cowboy secured him a spot in America’s consciousness and he’s been in our minds ever since. He lived a full life and left us with a great catalog of hits. 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. Sheila and I will miss him a lot. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.”
Tim Atwood
“Every loss to our country music community is a great loss, but this one hits close to home for me. It breaks my heart! Mickey Gilley was one of my musical heroes. No one could play a honky-tonk piano better than Gilley, and no one had a better time on stage than Gilley. After his accident took away his ability to play, he often called me to play piano for him when he was in Nashville. He said I sounded more like Mickey Gilley than he did. That's one of the greatest compliments I've ever had or will ever have. Not long ago, Jeannie Seely and I opened for Mickey at a festival in Illinois. He invited me on his bus where we visited for over an hour. I don't know if he even realized how special that time was for me. My prayers go out to Cindy and the rest of his family and friends. Tonight I'm playing a show in Kentucky, and you can bet I'll be singing ‘The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time’ in honor of Mickey Gilley and the honky tonk sound he loved.”
Lisa Matassa
“My heart aches hearing of the passing of the incomparable Mickey Gilley. I was blessed to have known him and to have had the honor to record a song with him. He was an amazing person and someone I will truly miss. Rest In Peace my dear friend until we meet again in paradise.”
Dallas Wayne
“With the Urban Cowboy movement of the 1970s, Mickey Gilley introduced his unique piano playing style to a whole new generation. He was one of the greatest entertainers I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing, as well as a warm and wonderful friend. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Cindy, cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Linda Gail Lewis, his family, and millions of fans around the world. He will be greatly missed”
Shane Owens
“Mickey Gilley is one of the most famous country singers of all time. Not only was he a great singer he owned the biggest nightclub in Texas at one time. Truly a country Icon and cousin to the one and only Jerry Lee Lewis. RIP to a legend and truly one of a kind!”
JD Shelburne
“I am saddened to hear the passing of the legendary Mickey Gilley. One of the biggest names in the business. I was honored to perform in his famous nightclub in Vegas many times. Prayers to his family.”
Rhonda Vincent
“Another great loss in Country Music — so sad to hear of the passing of Mickey Gilley. Our paths crossed a few times being in Branson; and Gene Watson and I did his TV show. I loved the day I was fortunate to hang out backstage with Johnny Lee & Mickey Gilley during one of their shows. Great stories and great memories. May He Rest In Peace.”
