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Charley Pride (1934–2020), country music legend

by Kirk Fox

Charley Pride was the pioneering country music superstar who had 30 number one hits on the country music charts.

  • Died: Saturday, December 12, 2020. (Who else died on December 12?)
  • Details of death: Died at the age of 86 in Dallas from complications of COVID-19.
  • We invite you to share condolences for Charley Pride in our Guest Book.

Pioneering country star

Charley Pride was not the first Black musician in country music, but he was the genre’s first big star, with 30 No. 1 songs on the country charts during a legendary career. He was a great athlete growing up and was a star pitcher and two-time All-Star for Memphis in the Negro Leagues. Injuries ended his baseball dreams and he turned to a career in country music. The baritone went to Nashville, and after a while he was signed to RCA and first hit the charts in 1966 with “Just Between Me and You.” Pride would become a top-selling star whose hits include the enduring 1971 song “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.” He won three Grammys and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Pride had just received a lifetime achievement award November 11 on live television at the CMA awards and performed on that show.

Tributes to Charley Pride

Full Obituary: New York Times

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