Country music star Charley Pride passes away from Covid-19

Publish Date
Monday, 14 December 2020, 9:49AM

Charley Pride, country music's first African American star, has died. He was 86.

The 'Kiss an Angel Good Morning' hitmaker passed away on Saturday in Dallas.

His publicist confirmed that he died from complications related to coronavirus.

"I'm so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It's even worse to know that he passed away from Covid-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you," Dolly Parton tweeted.

Pride - who was known for his rich baritone - released dozens of albums and sold more than 25 million records during a career that began in the mid-1960s. Hits besides 'Kiss an Angel Good Morning' in 1971 included 'Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone,' 'Burgers and Fries,' 'Mountain of Love' and 'Someone Loves You Honey.'

He won three Grammy Awards, won the Country Music Association's Top Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972 and was the first African American inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

His final performance came just weeks before his death when he sang 'Kiss an Angel Good Morning' during the CMA Awards show at Nashville’s Music City Center on 11 November. It was a duet with Jimmie Allen, a rising black star in country music.

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