Country Music Legend Mickey Gilley Passes Away at age 86
World’s Largest Honky Tonk Founder Loses Battle to Unnamed Illness
Mickey Gilley, founder of the “world’s biggest honky tonk,” passed away today. Family and close friends surrounded Mr. Gilley as he breathed his last. Recently, Mickey Gilley canceled concerts in his beloved home of Branson, MO. On a Facebook post, the Country singing legend apologized for the cancelations and explained he was seeking medical help for some unnamed health condition.
Though Mickey Gilley had 42 songs featured in Country Music’s top 40, he will probably be most remembered for founding Gilley’s, a honky tonk built in Pasadena, Texas. This popular nightclub served as the inspiration for the movie Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta. The Mayor of Pasadena credited Mickey for putting Pasadena on the map. He posted a special tribute to the Country star on his Facebook page:
“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…
