Mickey first launched a career in the music industry in the 1950s, releasing popular tunes like "Call Me Shorty."

He opened what would become one of his most famous ventures, Gilley's Club in Pasadena, Texas, in the 1970s, after establishing himself as a sought-after singer.

For a while, Gilley's Club was hailed as the largest honky-tonk club in the world. The subject of an article published in the Sept. 12, 1978, issue of Esquire, the venue quickly obtained cult status. The club served as the source of inspiration for Urban Cowboy, James Bridges's Western drama starring John Travolta, Debra Winger, and, of course, Mickey.

"I thank John Travolta every night before bed for keeping my career alive," Mickey told AP in 2002, per OPB. "It’s impossible to tell you how grateful I am for my involvement with Urban Cowboy. That film had a huge impact on my career, and still does."

Mickey also founded the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre, a performing arts theater in his home city of Branson, Mo., circa 1990, the year that Gilley's Club shut down.

Mickey opened a more high-end branch of Gilley's Club, named Gilley's Dallas, in 2003.

A decorated musician, Mickey received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984. He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in Ferriday, La., in 2002. He was awarded a place in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Cindy Loeb Gilley, and four children, Michael, Gregory, Keith Ray, and Kathy. Our hearts go out to his loved ones at this time.