Tributes pour in for Charley Pride as music icon dies from COVID-19

Tributes have been pouring in for pioneering black singer and country music legend Charley Pride, who passed away last Saturday in his home city of Dallas, Texas, from complications of COVID-19.

Dolly Parton, who sang the duet God’s Coloring Book with Charley, tweeted: “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.”

Luke Combs recalled being “in awe” of Charley, who he once met backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. He wrote: “I had the pleasure of meeting Charley Pride when I was playing the @opry. I was in awe of his presence and his talent. So saddened by the news of his passing. He was a true legend and trailblazer. His impact on our genre and generations of artists will never be forgotten. RIP.”

Martina McBride posted: “So saddened to hear about the passing of Charley Pride. Prayers for his wife Rozene and his family.”

The music icon was the first black artiste to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

Born in Mississippi in 1934, Charley was set on becoming a baseball player, before he moved to Nashville and realised his immense talent for singing.

During a dazzling career spanning almost seven decades, he received a host of accolades, including Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in 1971; Top Male Vocalist in 1972, and just last month he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The three-time Grammy winner scored 52 top 10 country hits and was the first African American performer to appear on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville.

A deeply religious man, Charley Pride credited his phenomenal success to God. He once said, “God had a lot to do with it. I really believe that.”

His last live performance was at the CMA on November 11, when he performed his megahit, Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’.