History of Mickey Gilley in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: September 28, 2024

"Mickey Leroy Gilley was a renowned American country music artist. While his early career in the 1970s showcased traditional country and western music, he transitioned to a more pop-infused style in the 1980s. This evolution broadened his appeal, leading to significant success on both country and pop music charts."

September 11, 1900: Irene Gilley is born

Mickey Gilley's mother, Irene Gilley, is born on September 11, 1900.

March 9, 1936: Mickey Gilley is born

Mickey Leroy Gilley was born on March 9, 1936.

1953: Marries Geraldine Garrett

Mickey Gilley marries Geraldine Garrett in 1953.

1958: "Call Me Shorty" is released

Mickey Gilley releases "Call Me Shorty" on the Dot label, which becomes a success in 1958.

1961: Divorces Geraldine Garrett

Mickey Gilley and Geraldine Garrett divorce in 1961.

1962: Marries Vivian McDonald

Mickey Gilley marries Vivian McDonald in 1962.

1966: Gregory Gilley is born

Mickey Gilley's son Gregory is born in 1966.

1967: "Down the Line" is released

Mickey Gilley releases his first album, "Down the Line", in 1967.

1970: Gilley's Club opens

Mickey Gilley opens his first nightclub, Gilley's Club, in Pasadena, Texas, in 1970.

1974: "Room Full of Roses" is released

Mickey Gilley releases "Room Full of Roses" in 1974, which becomes his first major hit, topping the country charts and reaching the Billboard Top 50.

1977: Multiple hit songs released

Mickey Gilley releases several hit songs in 1977, including "Chains of Love", "Honky Tonk Memories", and "She's Pulling Me Back Again".

1978: "Here Comes the Hurt Again" is released

Mickey Gilley releases "Here Comes the Hurt Again" in 1978.

1978: Signs with Epic Records

Mickey Gilley signs with Epic Records in 1978.

1979: Releases new music

Mickey Gilley releases new music, including "The Power of Positive Drinkin'", "Just Long Enough to Say Goodbye", and "My Silver Lining", in 1979.

1980: Gilley's Club is featured in "Urban Cowboy"

Gilley's Club, and its mechanical bull, are featured prominently in the movie "Urban Cowboy" in 1980.

1980: "Stand by Me" is featured on "Urban Cowboy"

Mickey Gilley's rendition of "Stand by Me" is featured in the movie "Urban Cowboy" in 1980, and the song's popularity helps reignite his career.

February 2, 1982: Arthur Fillmore Gilley passes away

Mickey Gilley's father, Arthur Fillmore Gilley, passed away on February 2, 1982.

1983: More hit songs are released

Mickey Gilley continues to release hit songs in 1983, including "Fool For Your Love", "Paradise Tonight", and "Talk to Me".

1984: Duets with Charly McClain

Mickey Gilley releases "Candy Man", a duet with Charly McClain, in 1984, as well as the solo hit "Too Good To Stop Now".

August 14, 1985: Irene Gilley passes away

Mickey Gilley's mother, Irene Gilley, passes away on August 14, 1985

1985: New releases and financial troubles

Mickey Gilley releases "I'm the One Mama Warned You About" and "You've Got Something on Your Mind" in 1985, but experiences financial problems.

1986: "Doo-Wah Days" is released

Mickey Gilley releases "Doo-Wah Days" in 1986.

1988: "She Reminded Me of You" is released

Mickey Gilley releases "Chasin' Rainbows", which features his last Top 40 country hit, "She Reminded Me of You", in 1988.

1990: Fire at Gilley's Club

A fire damages the Gilley's Club in Pasadena, Texas in 1990.

March 2, 2002: Induction into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame

On March 2, 2002, Mickey Gilley was inducted into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame in Ferriday, Louisiana, alongside his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart.

July 2009: Suffers serious injury

Mickey Gilley suffers a serious back injury in July 2009, leaving him temporarily paralyzed.

2009: Formation of the "Gilley" group

In 2009, a group of urban cowboys who shared a love for golf, country music, and rhinestone shirts formed a group called "The Gilley".

March 6, 2010: Geraldine Garrett passes away

Mickey Gilley's first wife, Geraldine Garrett, passed away on March 6, 2010.

September 5, 2011: Appearance on "American Pickers"

Mickey Gilley appears on an episode of the television show "American Pickers" on September 5, 2011.

2012: Signs vocal group Six

Mickey Gilley signs vocal group Six to perform at his theater in 2012.

2014: Relocation of "The Gilley" to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

In 2014, "The Gilley" group settled at Old Kinderhook Resort in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Prior to this, they were located in Branson, Missouri, and Northwest Arkansas.

2017: Awarding of the Key to the City of Winchester, Virginia

In 2017, Mickey Gilley received the Key to the City of Winchester, Virginia. The honor was bestowed upon him by the Hon. David Smith at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music's Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre during a Bonnie Blue's Roadhouse Classic Concert.