Country music legend Charley Pride died after contracting the novel coronavirus.
Pride died Saturday in Dallas, Texas, according to the Associated Press. He was 86 years old at the time.
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. (1/2)
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 12, 2020
“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away,” Parton said in a tribute online. “It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you.” (RELATED: The CMA Awards Peak With An Average Of 7.379 Million Viewers On ABC)
“Rest In Peace,” Parton continued. “My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans.”
Pride made history as the first black man inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Pride was most known for his songs “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” and “Mountain of Love.” Throughout his career he had 52 songs break into the top 10, with 29 of them reaching the number one spot.
He was born in Sledge, Mississippi, according to the Associated Press. He and his seven brothers and three sisters grew up part of a sharecropping family.
Pride performed for the last time on Nov. 11 at the Country Music Association Awards, where he was awarded the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.