A hero succumbs to COVID-19

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Charley Pride in 1975.)
Charley Pride pioneering African-American country singer, dies from Covid-19. He was the first African-American inducted into the country music Hall of Fame. The unfortunate news come a month later after the annual CMC awards. His death took many by surprise since the previous Covid 19 tests came out as negative. He had undergone about multiple tests and all were negative.
He enjoyed a remarkable chart success during his heyday, scoring 52 Top Ten hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. ‘Why baby why’ and Kiss and Angel Good morning’ were among his songs that took him to number in the chart. Pride also scooped four Grammy awards throughout his career time including a lifetime achievement Award 2017.
His performances were notable in Belfast at the height of Troubles, when many artists chose to bypass the city on their tours. Well it is said a prophet is not appreciated in his home town but Pride had the reverse of this, he championed for American-African rights and he was considered a hero. He has left a gap in the industry and his colleagues are heartbroken, his family who have chosen to keep off the public on this have issued an alternative of honoring the singer. This done by people taking their donations to the Pride Scholarship at Jesuit College Preparatory School, St Philip’s School and Community Center.
Apart from the vocals, Pride was also a talented baseball player and his youthful life earned professional contracts. Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire are just but a few who have paid tributes to the fallen hero.
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