Mickey Gilley

Mickey Gilley, a prominent figure in country music during the '70s, achieved success with hits like "Room Full of Roses" and "Stand by Me." Born into a musical family alongside cousin Jerry Lee Lewis, Gilley's career evolved from rockabilly to country, leading to a string of 15 number one country singles between 1974 and 1983. In addition to his musical achievements, Gilley co-founded the legendary honky tonk Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas, which gained fame through the hit movie Urban Cowboy, further boosting country music's mainstream visibility.

Gilley's success continued with hits like "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time" and the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, solidifying his status as a country music icon. Despite a career slowdown in the late '80s, Gilley remained a popular live performer, eventually establishing himself in Branson, Missouri. In 2009, a serious accident left him temporarily paralyzed, but after extensive therapy, he returned to the stage. Gilley's last album, Two Old Cats, was released in 2018 before his passing in 2022 at the age of 86.