R.I.P.: Mickey Gilley, Country Music Legend

Country music legend Mickey Gilley has died at 86.   Gilley died Saturday in Branson, Missouri, where he helped run the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre. He had been performing as recently as last month, but was in failing health over the past week.

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

Pasadena, Texas Mayor Jeff Wagner announced the news via Facebook and Saturday and called the star a "true legend". 

"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.

It's unclear what Gilley’s cause of death is, but just a week ago, he shared on his Facebook page that he had to cancel upcoming shows due to health concerns.