Mickey Gilley
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.
Urban Cowboy
as HimselfAfter moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis starts hanging around a bar called...
Movie pageNight of 100 Stars III
as SelfA celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.
Movie pageUrban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's
as SelfA chronicle of the cultural phenomenon sparked by the 1980 film Urban Cowboy and its...
Movie pageIt's Branson!
as SelfNestled in the beautiful hills of the Ozark Mountains, far away from the hustle and bustle of...
Movie pageJerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind
as Self (archive footage)An electrifying glimpse into the complex life and thrilling, unparalleled performances of rock...
Movie pageOff the Wall
as Buck BannerTwo young hitchhikers are picked up a speed-crazed young woman, who tears around the...
Movie pageTime-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 1
as himselfMusic City News was founded in 1963, by country music singer Faron Young. In 1967, the...
Movie pageJerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am
as uncreditedThis unique rockumentary features classic performances and Jerry Lee's biggest hits.
Movie pageMickey Gilley: In Concert
as HimselfAn intimate evening with country legend Mickey Gilley recorded in 2004 at The Mickey Gilley...
Movie pageSolid Gold
as Self - Co-HostSolid Gold was an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13,...
TV Show pageSolid Gold
as SelfSolid Gold was an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13,...
TV Show pageSolid Gold
as uncreditedSolid Gold was an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13,...
TV Show pageMurder, She Wrote
as Conrad BookerAn unassuming mystery writer turned sleuth uses her professional insight to help solve real-life...
TV Show pageFantasy Island
as Billy Jo PrineA magical island hosted by Mr Roarke and Tattoo where weekly guests learn valuable life lessons...
TV Show pageCHiPs
as HimselfLighthearted look at the adventures of two Highway Patrol officers in Los Angeles. The main...
TV Show pageBarbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters
as SelfBarbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters is an American variety show hosted by Barbara, Louise,...
TV Show page