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Country icon Mickey Gilley — well known for Urban Cowboy — has died. He was 86. Mickey Gilley Associates confirmed in a statement: “He passed peacefully with his family and close friends by his side.”
Mayor of Pasadena, Texas Jeff Wagner said in a statement on the city’s Facebook page: “Pasadena has lost a true legend. Mickey Gilley passed away today, surrounded by his loved ones. It was my great honor to know this man most of my life. Mickey was a true musical talent who charted 42 singles in the Top 40 Country Charts over a span of two decades. 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.”
Other tributes for Gilley have begun to pour in as of Saturday afternoon (May 7), including from the Academy of Country Music Awards: “The Academy remembers Mickey Gilley. Gilley won 5 ACM Awards in 1976, including trophies for Top Male Vocalist, Album of the Year for Gilley's Smoking, and Entertainer of the Year. In 2005, he was presented with the ACM Triple Crown award. ...Gilley also won ACM Awards for Nightclub of the Year for his Gilley's venue, later known as the "world's biggest honky tonk" and featured prominently in the film ‘Urban Cowboy’ alongside his popular cover of the soul classic, ‘Stand By Me.’ Please join us in sending condolences.”
Gilley is survived by his wife and four children.