Charley Pride, first major Black star in country music, dies at 86

Vocalist Charley Pride, the first modern Black music superstar of country music, has died. He was 86.

Public relations firm 2911 Media confirmed that Pride died on Dec. 12 in Dallas, Texas from complications related to COVID-19.

Pride had just been seen by millions on live TV in November as he received a lifetime achievement award from the Country Music Association on its annual telecast.

It was on that Nov. 11 telecast that he did his final performance, a duet of his classic “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” with Jimmie Allen, a rising Black star in country who expressed his indebtedness to his predecessor.

Pride followed that with a lengthy and heartfelt speech as the small audience of nominees and their guests stood in rapt attention.