Mickey GIlley. Photo: Courtesy of Mickey Gilley Enterprises
Numerous artists and music industry members have offered tributes and memories of the late country singer and actor, Mickey Gilley, who passed away on Saturday (May 7).
Known for launching the Urban Cowboy movement in country music, Gilley celebrated 39 top 10 hits and 17 No. 1 songs throughout his career, including the enduring “Stand By Me,” “Room Full of Roses,” “Lonely Nights,” “Chains of Love,” “Honky Tonk Memories,” “She’s Pulling Me Back Again,” and “Here Comes the Hurt Again.”
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. pic.twitter.com/oJvJ52kFnX
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) May 7, 2022
Mickey GIlley. Photo: Courtesy of Mickey Gilley Enterprises
A native of Natchez, Mississippi, Gilley was known for his blend of Louisiana rhythm and blues with country-pop. His two famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart, also influenced his music. He earned numerous accolades including six ACM Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. He was one of a select few artists to receive the Academy of Country Music’s Triple Crown Awards.
“I heard Mickey Gilley’s hit version of my song, ‘City Lights,’ on the radio Friday, and marveled for the ump-teenth time at what an incredible record it was. I never dreamed that one day later I would be mourning his passing. He was a great artist, a good friend, and like the rest of our country community, I sure will miss him.” – Bill Anderson
“I’m so very sorry to learn that our good friend and incredible legend in country music, Mickey Gilley has passed. A great singer and a great showman–and always a great friend. Please send your prayers out for his family.” – Gene Watson
“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 Gilleys in Pasadena, TX and was amazed at the bucking bull machine! Mickey’s image and memory will be forever.” – Janie Fricke
“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.” – Crystal Gayle
In memory of MICKEY GILLEY … pic.twitter.com/8yJir1KFJC
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) May 8, 2022
“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.” – Johnny Lee
“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.” – Tim Atwood
“My heart is broken at the loss of Mickey. I treasure all the times we got to work together and there were never enough. He and Johnny Lee brought a new dimension to country music with the urban Cowboy trend and brought new fans to the genre. Whether it was a boogie or a ballad, Mickey made it his own, no matter how many times it had been done before, and it would become my favorite version. He was loved and respected and he will be so greatly missed.” – Jeannie Seely
“I grew up on Mickey Gilley music! What a great loss. He was a true stylist! Seeing him live in concert as a kid, and the way he owned the stage…helped me realize that being an entertainer was often as important as the music itself. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. He will forever be a legend and rightfully so!“ – Heidi Newfield
“When I learned of the passing of Gilley my heart just sank! What a trailblazer he was his entire career!! Being a fellow Texan of course, his music blared on my radio and record player and 8 track player!! And then, Urban Cowboy, Gilley’s in Pasadena, he is a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame I am just getting started with all of his accolades. He used to sit and listen to me sing at the piano bar where I played for several years at the Sheraton Music City. He was an encourager to me and he was my friend. RIP Gilley.” – Linda Davis
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