Mickey Gilley

Mickey Gilley

Born: March 9, 1936
Died: May 7, 2022
in Natchez, Mississippi, USA
Country western star Mickey Gilley was born on March 9, 1936 in Natchez, Mississippi, the cousin of future rockabilly legend Jerry Lee Lewis and disgraced televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, and raised in Ferriday, Louisiana. In their childhood, all three would play the piano when they got together and sing gospel and boogie-woogie songs. After Lewis became a chart-topper in the 1950s, Mickey turned professional himself and cut some singles before becoming a session player in the Big Easy.

First married at age 17, Gilley had a minor hit, "Call Me Shorty", in 1958, but it would be years before he came out from under Jerry lee's shadow and established himself as a star. He didn't release his first album, "Down the Line", until 1967. The album yielded a minor hit, "Now I Can Live Again". Three years later, he became a nightclub owner when he opened Gilley's Club in Pasadena, Texas in 1971. The club, billed as the "world's biggest honky tonk", became famous when it was used as the setting for Urban Cowboy (1980), which boosted Gilley's national exposure. By the 1980s, Gilley was experiencing crossover success when he mellowed his C+W with a more pop orientation. He managed to put songs on the charts in each of 15 years, enjoying 17 #1 country hits.

Gilley and partner Sherwood Cryer had a falling out after Cryer became increasingly hostile about changes made to the club. Gilley eventually had to sue Cryer over their "50-50" deal, which Gilley argued favored Cryer much more heavily. Gilley won $17 million from Cryer, but it completely shattered their relationship and forced the closing of the club in 1989. Gilley opened another club in Dallas under the same name in 2006. There's a Gilley's in Las Vegas, and the town of LaPorte, Texas, approved a new Gilley's, not far from the original.

Movies for Mickey Gilley...

Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind
Title: Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: May 22, 2022
Type: Movie
An electrifying glimpse into the complex life and thrilling, unparalleled performances of rock and roll's first and wildest practitioner: Jerry Lee Lewis.
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Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's
Title: Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's
Character: Self
Released: June 13, 2015
Type: Movie
A chronicle of the cultural phenomenon sparked by the 1980 film Urban Cowboy and its inspiration, Gilley's.
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Mickey Gilley: In Concert
Title: Mickey Gilley: In Concert
Character: Himself
Released: July 12, 2005
Type: Movie
An intimate evening with country legend Mickey Gilley recorded in 2004 at The Mickey Gilley Theater in Branson MO. The concert was professionally shot using multi-camera digital video with awesome surround sound audio, In Concert also features an interview with the legend himself. For over four decades, Mickey Gilley has been entertaining millions of music fans worldwide with his impeccable voice and captivating stage presence. The original urban cowboy, Gilley struck gold with a number of smash hit singles throughout the 70s and 80s such as Room Full Of Roses, I Overlooked An Orchid, True Love Ways, A Headache Tomorrow (Or A Heartache Tonight and many more. After opening his own theater in Branson MO, Gilley has welcomed thousands of guests to a spectacular concert experiences featuring all of his best songs. In Concert is your ticket to the greatest, good time, old fashioned country show this side of the Mississippi!
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Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 1
Title: Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 1
Character: himself
Released: January 1, 2005
Type: Movie
Music City News was founded in 1963, by country music singer Faron Young. In 1967, the publication began to confer annual awards; in 1978, it began televising them, with the inclusion of artist performances. These awards were not decided by a secretive, politically motivated committee or by an "association," but by fan nominations. Each installment of the Country Legends Live series highlights performances from particular annual awards shows. Country Legends Live, Vol. 1 offers a "best of" the 1978 and 1979 Music City News Awards Shows. Featured artists in this installment include Mel Tillis, Tom T. Hall, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, Archie Campbell, The Kendalls, The Statler Brothers, The Gatlin Brothers, Barbara Mandrell, Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley, Mickey Gilley, Loretta Lynn, Eddie Rabbitt, Conway Twitty, Jerry Clower, and Dave & Sugar.
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Title: Where Are They Now?
Character: Self
Released: June 7, 1999
Type: TV
Where Are They Now? was a television series on VH1 that featured past celebrities and updated on their current professional and personal status. Each episode was dedicated to another genre. Though not always in sequence, some episodes were a continuation of the motif of episodes from the past. Those episodes sometimes had Roman numerals in their title to signify their sequel status.
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It's Branson!
Title: It's Branson!
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1999
Type: Movie
Nestled in the beautiful hills of the Ozark Mountains, far away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, lies a place of great beauty and splendor... a place you'll never forget. It's Branson, Missouri and you're going to see it all! Enjoy Branson's greatest sights - amazing Marvel Cave, popular Silver Dollar City, the Branson Scenic Railway, beautiful Dogwood Canyon, historic Shepherd of the Hills Homestead, magnificent Inspiration Tower, picturesque Lake Taneycomo, the unforgettable showboat Branson Belle - and more! And you'll thrill to performances by Branson's greatest starts, including Andy Williams, Boxcar Willie, Mickey Gilley, Jim Stafford, The Lennon Sisters, The Osmond Brothers, Roy Clark, Ray Stephens, The Baldknobbers, Glenn Campbell, and more! So sit back, relax and get ready to enjoy the sights and the stars of America's favorite entertainment destination... It's Branson!
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Title: Vicki!
Character: Self
Released: August 31, 1992
Type: TV
Singer-actress Vicki Lawrence hosted this talk and entertainment show.
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Title: Hot Country Nights
Character: Himself
Released: November 24, 1991
Type: TV
Hot Country Nights is an American television series which presented country music acts performing their biggest hits. The series aired on NBC from November 1991 to March 1992. Each episode featured between four to six singing acts, including established stars, up-and-comers and a veteran star. A featured comedian would also perform between acts. Some of the comedians who appeared included Tim Allen and Jeff Dunham. The first broadcast featured Alabama, Clint Black, K.T. Oslin, Kenny Rogers and Pam Tillis.
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Night of 100 Stars III
Title: Night of 100 Stars III
Character: Self
Released: May 21, 1990
Type: Movie
A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.
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Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am
Title: Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am
Released: January 2, 1987
Type: Movie
This unique rockumentary features classic performances and Jerry Lee's biggest hits.
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Title: Murder, She Wrote
Character: Conrad Booker
Released: September 30, 1984
Type: TV
An unassuming mystery writer turned sleuth uses her professional insight to help solve real-life homicide cases.
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Off the Wall
Title: Off the Wall
Character: Buck Banner
Released: July 1, 1983
Type: Movie
Two young hitchhikers are picked up a speed-crazed young woman, who tears around the countryside. She leaves them to take the blame for her activities, and they find themselves sentenced to six months in prison. The girl, feeling bad about what she did to them, resolves to break them out of the prison
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Title: The Nashville Palace
Character: Himself
Released: October 24, 1981
Type: TV
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Title: Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters
Character: Self
Released: November 18, 1980
Type: TV
Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters is an American variety show hosted by Barbara, Louise, and Irlene Mandrell that aired on NBC for two season in 1980.
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Title: Solid Gold
Character: Self - Co-Host
Released: September 13, 1980
Type: TV
Solid Gold was an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13, 1980. Like many other shows of its genre, such as American Bandstand, Solid Gold featured musical performances and various other elements such as music videos. What set Solid Gold apart was a group of dancers in revealing costumes who at various points in the program performed various dances to the top ten hits of the week. Many other specials aired in which the dancers would dance to older pop hits as well. Reviews of the show were not always positive, with The New York Times referring to it as "the pop music show that is its own parody...[enacting] mini-dramas...of covetousness, lust and aerobic toning--routines that typically have a minimal connection with the songs that back them up." The series ran until July 23, 1988, and it was usually transmitted on Saturdays in the early evening. In 1986, Solid Gold added the current year to its title, so in the seventh season the show was known as Solid Gold '86/'87. For the eighth and last season the program became known as Solid Gold In Concert, reflecting the addition of more live performances than had previously been featured on the program in the past.
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Title: Solid Gold
Character: Self
Released: September 13, 1980
Type: TV
Solid Gold was an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13, 1980. Like many other shows of its genre, such as American Bandstand, Solid Gold featured musical performances and various other elements such as music videos. What set Solid Gold apart was a group of dancers in revealing costumes who at various points in the program performed various dances to the top ten hits of the week. Many other specials aired in which the dancers would dance to older pop hits as well. Reviews of the show were not always positive, with The New York Times referring to it as "the pop music show that is its own parody...[enacting] mini-dramas...of covetousness, lust and aerobic toning--routines that typically have a minimal connection with the songs that back them up." The series ran until July 23, 1988, and it was usually transmitted on Saturdays in the early evening. In 1986, Solid Gold added the current year to its title, so in the seventh season the show was known as Solid Gold '86/'87. For the eighth and last season the program became known as Solid Gold In Concert, reflecting the addition of more live performances than had previously been featured on the program in the past.
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Title: Solid Gold
Released: September 13, 1980
Type: TV
Solid Gold was an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13, 1980. Like many other shows of its genre, such as American Bandstand, Solid Gold featured musical performances and various other elements such as music videos. What set Solid Gold apart was a group of dancers in revealing costumes who at various points in the program performed various dances to the top ten hits of the week. Many other specials aired in which the dancers would dance to older pop hits as well. Reviews of the show were not always positive, with The New York Times referring to it as "the pop music show that is its own parody...[enacting] mini-dramas...of covetousness, lust and aerobic toning--routines that typically have a minimal connection with the songs that back them up." The series ran until July 23, 1988, and it was usually transmitted on Saturdays in the early evening. In 1986, Solid Gold added the current year to its title, so in the seventh season the show was known as Solid Gold '86/'87. For the eighth and last season the program became known as Solid Gold In Concert, reflecting the addition of more live performances than had previously been featured on the program in the past.
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Urban Cowboy
Title: Urban Cowboy
Character: Himself
Released: June 6, 1980
Type: Movie
After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy, a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.
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Title: Fantasy Island
Character: Billy Jo Prine
Released: January 28, 1978
Type: TV
A magical island hosted by Mr Roarke and Tattoo where weekly guests learn valuable life lessons in their pursuit of fulfilling their dreams. Not all dreams are fulfilled as expected.
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Title: CHiPs
Character: Himself
Released: September 15, 1977
Type: TV
Lighthearted look at the adventures of two Highway Patrol officers in Los Angeles. The main characters are Jon Baker and Frank Poncherello, two motorcycle officers always on the street to save lives.