Charley Pride Has Died At The Age Of 86
Jason Davis / Getty Images for NAMM
Country music has lost another one of its most outstanding artists…Charley Pride.
CMT reports that Pride passed away on Saturday (December 12) due to “complications from COVID-19.” He was 86 years old.
Charley’s team later confirmed the news on social media. “It is with great sadness that we confirm that Charley Pride passed away this morning, Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Dallas, Texas of complications from Covid-19 at age 86,” the statement read.
It is with great sadness that we confirm that Charley Pride passed away this morning, Saturday, December 12, 2020, in…
Posted by Charley Pride on Saturday, December 12, 2020
Pride was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. More recently, he was honored as the recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the CMA Awards on November 11.
After receiving the award, Pride spoke to members of the press about what it meant to him:
“I get asked a lot of times what award I like the best,” he said. “I mean, I’ve got so many, it’s like asking me what song do I like the best when I’m singing. And this is the truth. What song do I love the most is the one I’m singing at the moment. So that’s it. I’m going to put this with all the other awards and everything and be happy about having them. And I hope I can get some more, if that’s possible, but I didn’t come into this business to try to win awards, but I’ll sure take them.”
Pride was more than deserving of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. As one of the first black artists in country music, he paved the path for others to follow in his footsteps.
He had numerous number one hits to his name, including iconic songs such as “Is Anbody Goin’ to San Antone” and “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’.”
It was the latter song that Pride performed when he appeared at the CMA Awards in November to accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. He was joined onstage by Jimmie Allen, who spoke highly of Pride and how he influenced him as an artist.
Little did we know that would be the last time we’d ever see Pride sing. You can remember him by watching that final performance below.
Our hearts go out to Pride’s wife of over 60 years, Rozene, and their children. We loved Pride, and he will be so dearly missed.
