Date of Birth: March 9, 1936
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: May 7, 2022
Biography
Mickey Gilley was an American country music singer and musician, who gained fame for his contributions to the genre and his role in popularizing the “Urban Cowboy” movement in the 1980s. Born in Natchez, Mississippi, Gilley grew up in a musical family; his cousins were Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl McVoy, and Jimmy Swaggart. He began his career in the 1950s, playing in various bars and clubs before achieving significant success in the 1970s and 1980s. Gilley is known for hit songs like “Room Full of Roses,” “Don’t the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time,” and “Stand by Me,” which was featured in the movie “Urban Cowboy.” In addition to his music career, he owned the famous Gilley’s Club in Pasadena, Texas, which became a cultural landmark and the setting for the “Urban Cowboy” film starring John Travolta.
5 Interesting Facts about Mickey Gilley
1. Mickey Gilley was the cousin of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis.
2. Gilley’s Club, which he co-owned, was once dubbed the “world’s largest honky-tonk.”
3. He won six Academy of Country Music Awards throughout his career.
4. Gilley had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 1984.
5. Despite suffering a severe fall in 2009, which temporarily paralyzed him, he made a remarkable recovery and continued to perform.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mickey Gilley
1. “A good country song takes a page out of somebody’s life and puts it to music.”
2. “I think country music is the people’s music.”
3. “I’ve had a great run, and I’m grateful for every moment.”
4. “The Urban Cowboy era was a special time for me and for country music.”
5. “I believe in hard work and perseverance. That’s what keeps you going.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Mickey Gilley’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
Mickey Gilley had four children: Kathy Gilley, Keith Ray Gilley, Michael Gilley, and Gregory Gilley.
Relevant Links
1. [Mickey Gilley’s Official Website](http://www.gilleys.com/
2. [Biography on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mickey-gilley-mn0000489079/biography
3. [Mickey Gilley on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0319400/
4. [Gilley’s Club History](https://gilleysdallas.com/about/
