How did Mickey Gilley die? What happened? Cause of Death Revealed

Mickey Gilley, the country singer whose famous Texas honky-tonk inspired the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy” and a countrywide surge of Western-themed nightclubs, has died. He was 86 years old. Let’s see How did Mickey Gilley die, What happened and What was his Cause of Death.

What happened to Mickey Gilley?

Gilley died on Saturday in Branson, Missouri, where he assisted in the operation of the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre. He had been performing as recently as last month, but his health had deteriorated during the last week.

“He died peacefully with his family and close friends at his side,” said Mickey Gilley Associates in a statement.

As per the City of Pasadena, Texas – Government statement,

“Pasadena has lost a great legend,” said Mayor Jeff Wagner. Mickey Gilley died today, surrounded by his family. It was an honour to have known this man for the most of my life. Mickey had a great musical genius, charting 42 singles in the Top 40 Country Charts during a two-decade period. His skills and larger-than-life demeanour helped spark a fresh interest in country music when he brought the world to Pasadena in 1980 with his dance hall and “Urban Cowboy.” We are thrilled that Mickey will be performing at our State of the City event in February 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mickey’s family, loved ones, and fans.

How did Mickey Gilley die?

Gilley has been suffering from health issues in previous years. He had brain surgery in August 2008 after doctors diagnosed him with hydrocephalus, a disorder defined by an excess of fluid in the head.

Gilley had been experiencing short-term memory loss and attributed the surgery to prevent the beginnings of dementia.

He had additional surgery in 2009 after falling from a stairwell, prompting him to postpone engagements in Branson. In a vehicle accident in 2018, he suffered a fractured foot and a shattered right shoulder.

The mayor of Pasadena, Texas, Jeff Wagner, revealed on Saturday, May 7, 2022, that the musician died surrounded by his loved ones.’

Mickey Gilley Cause of Death

Mickey Gilley died of natural cause as per the Facebook page of the City of Pasadena, Texas – Government.

Mickey Gilley Music Career

In the early 1970s, Gilley, a cousin of rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, founded Gilley’s, “the world’s largest honky tonk,” in Pasadena, Texas. By the mid-decade mark, he was a successful club owner who had achieved commercial success with “Room Full of Roses.”

He began consistently releasing country songs such as “Window Up Above,” “She’s Pulling Me Back Again,” and the honky-tonk anthem “Don’t the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time.”

He had 39 Top 10 country singles and 17 No. 1 songs in all. He won six Academy of Country Music Awards and also acted as an actor in “Murder She Wrote,” “The Fall Guy,” “Fantasy Island,” and “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

“If I had one desire in life, it would be more time,” Gilley told The Associated Press on his 65th birthday in March 2001. The singer stated that he would not change anything.

I’m doing precisely what I want. “I play golf, fly my planes, and perform at my Branson, Missouri, theatre,” he said. “I enjoy performing for the audience.”

Meanwhile, the big nightspot’s attractions, notably its famous mechanical bull, inspired the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy,” starring John Travolta and Debra Winger and widely viewed as a countrified version of Travolta’s 1977 disco hit “Saturday Night Fever.” The film was inspired by an Esquire article by Aaron Latham on the relationship of two regulars at Gilley’s club.

“Every night before bed, I thank John Travolta for keeping my career alive,” Gilley told the Associated Press in 2002.

“I can’t express how grateful I am for my engagement with ‘Urban Cowboy.’ That film has and continues to have a significant influence on my career.”

Hits from the soundtrack included Johnny Lee’s “Lookin’ for Love,” Boz Scaggs’ “Look What You’ve Done for Me,” and Gilley’s “Stand by Me.” The film popularised pearl snap shirts, longneck beers, the steel guitar, and mechanical bulls across the country, as well as the Pasadena club.

However, the club closed in 1989 due to a conflict between Gilley and his business partner Sherwood Cryer about how to run the place. Soon later, it was destroyed by fire.

In 2003, an upmarket counterpart of the original Gilley’s nightclub debuted in Dallas. Gilley relocated to Branson in recent years.

Mickey Gilley Family

He had three marriages, the most recent to Cindy Loeb Gilley. He had four children, three from his first marriage to Geraldine Garrett and one from his second marriage to Vivian McDonald.

Gilley, a Natchez, Mississippi native, grew up impoverished, learning boogie-woogie piano in Ferriday, Louisiana, alongside Lewis and his future preacher cousin Jimmy Swaggart. He, like Lewis, would sneak into Louisiana bars and listen to rhythm and blues. He relocated to Houston to work in construction, but at night he performed in the local club scene and recorded and toured for years until breaking out in the 1970s.

Fans’ reaction to Mickey Gilley’s Death,

Kimberly Ivey said,

Mickey was my cousin’s cousin and a friend of my parents. So sad. Rest in peace, Mickey.

David Hanshaw said,

So sad to hear of this. What a hard-working Country legend. Talk about working right up to the end, the man did concerts last week.

Elaine Marra said,

We will miss this wonderful man and great talent. He always wanted to give 100% to his fans. We always left his concerts singing with a smile on our faces. He was a true showman.
My sincere condolences to his lovely wife, Cindy, and his family.

These are all updates about Mickey Gilley Cause of Death.

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