Charley Pride may have entered the world as the humble son of sharecroppers, but he will always be remembered as a legendary country musician.
What We Know:
- Charley Pride’s publicist, Jeremy Westby, announced Pride’s passing on Saturday, December 12th. According to NPR, the singer died in Dallas, Texas, after suffering COVID-19 complications. He was 86 years old.
- Pride started in the music industry in the 60’s – in a time of racial unrest. It wasn’t clear if a country audience was willing to listen to a Black artist. But Pride’s rich storytelling through songs like Kiss an Angel Good Morning, Just Between You and Me, and I Can’t Believe That You’ve Stopped Loving Me won over the masses a launched him into fame.
- Pride left behind a legacy, unlike any musician before him. He was known as America’s first Black country superstar with the achievements to prove it. Throughout his career, Pride topped the country music charts over 29 times – making him the best-selling artist on RCA Records since Elvis Presley. He was also the first African American member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, recorded multiple Billboard Country hits, a three-time Grammy winner, and even received a lifetime achievement award in 2017.
- Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, commented on Pride’s passing, stating, “To say Country Music has lost a trailblazer is an obvious understatement, but in fact, one of the biggest losses is Charley’s definitive Country voice. I remember working with Charley in 2009 on ‘Country Music: In Performance at the White House’ when President and Michelle Obama invited several Country artists to perform. […] It was a special night, and Charley was telling amazing stories. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Rozene and the rest of his family and friends at this sad time.”
We hope that Charley Pride is out there somewhere ‘kissing an angel good morning,’ may he rest in peace.
