Was sad to hear about the passing of Charley Pride, from complications of Covid-19. With 52 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 30 of which made it to number one, Pride was one of the business's biggest draws -- and its first black superstar.
It's difficult not to think the 86-year-old's appearance last month at the CMA Awards isn't complicit in his death. EW writes that Pride made his final public appearance at the ceremony on Nov. 11, during which he performed and was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The celebration was held indoors, which has drawn criticism over the possibility that he may have contracted the illness at the event.
The Country Music Association issued a statement that read in part:
"Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions. Charley was tested prior to traveling to Nashville," they wrote. "He was tested upon landing in Nashville, and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative. After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times. All of us in the Country Music community are heartbroken by Charley's passing. Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further."
RIP.
Hear Nancy Sinatra's excellent cover HERE.
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