This Country Music Pioneer Sadly Passed Away – But His Devoted Wife Stood By Him For Six Decades
America tragically lost one of its dearest icons in December 2020. Charley Pride – a giant of the country music genre – passed away from COVID-19-related complications at the age of 86. The star’s wife Rozene was by his side, just as she had been throughout most of their 64 years together. And theirs was a tale of the most enduring love that began in a remarkable way.
For his part, Charley transcended racial barriers to become a music legend. During the 1960s he made history by breaking into the country music market and going on to achieve superstar status. His smooth baritone vocals and winning song formulas won him generations of fans and an iconic position as the first African-American member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
But it wasn’t all glory for the music man from Mississippi. He came from humble beginnings as a cotton picker’s son and lived with his large family in a tumbledown shack in the tiny town of Sledge. The future star was born to Tessie Stewart Pride and Mack Pride Sr. in March 1934. Meanwhile, his father toiled in the fields to support his wife and 11 children.
The singer’s dad inspired his son’s passion for country music by playing Grand Ole Opry shows broadcast on the family radio, according to the Charley Pride official website. Then at 14, the future star purchased a Silvertone guitar and began teaching himself the songs he was hearing on the wireless.
Though Charley had to wait until he was in his 20s before he’d have his first go at breaking into the music business. In 1958 the musician recorded his first official demo at Sun Studio on 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. Though Charley’s song “There’s My Baby (Walkin’)” – which was a crude reworking of the Diamonds’ hit “The Stroll” – failed to make any kind of impression on record execs.
