Mickey Gilley, the country music star whose Texas nightclub served as the inspiration for the 1980 film Urban Cowboy, died on Saturday in Branson, Mo. His death was confirmed to NPR by his publicist Zach Farnum.

What is Urban Cowboy based on?

The original Esquire article centered on the romance between two Gilley's regulars named Dew Westbrook and Betty Helmer. Westbrook and Helmer's real-life relationship became the inspiration for the on-screen romance between John Travolta's and Debra Winger's characters "Bud" and "Sissy".

Who was the movie Urban Cowboy based on?

The movie was Urban Cowboy, based on the life and loves of Pasadena's own Dew Westbrook, whose fortunes have come full circle since Aaron Latham wrote the “Urban Cowboy” story for Esquire magazine in 1978 as well as the screenplay for the 1980 movie that featured the world's most famous mechanical bull.

How did Mickey Gilley inspire Urban Cowboy?

In 1971, Gilley sparked the urban cowboy movement when he opened his Pasadena honky-tonk Gilley's, which launched a chain of popular nightclubs.

What article inspired the Urban Cowboy?

Adapted from Aaron Latham's 1978 Esquire article “The Ballad of the Urban Cowboy: America's Search for True Grit” by Lathan and director James Bridges, Urban Cowboy attempts to dramatize that tension via the story of Bud's romance with Sissy (Debra Winger), a Gilley's habitué who captures his eye and, in short order, ...

EXCLUSIVE: John Travolta Looks Back on 'Urban Cowboy' 35 Years Later

Why was Urban Cowboy so popular?

He knew Urban Cowboy could impact the way people dressed, ate, danced, listened. John Travolta played Bud: Urban Cowboy was three-dimensional. You could watch it, and then you could go experience it. You could buy a cowboy hat, get on a mechanical bull, go country dancing.

What was the relationship between Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis?

Lewis and Gilley are first cousins. Gilley and Swaggart are first cousins once removed. The men are related through maternal and paternal lines that Davis details in his 2012 book Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley.

Why did Mickey Gilley pass away?

The incident left him temporarily paralyzed from the neck down, but after intense physical therapy he was able to walk again and return to the stage a year later. However, he still lacked the hand-eye coordination necessary to play the piano. Gilley died on May 7, 2022, of complications from bone cancer.

Did Mickey Gilley own a bar in Texas?

Welcome to Gilley's

Mickey Gilley was an owner of the club and had seventeen #1 hits in his career. Take a moment to two step inside our store that features many shirts and hats inspired by Mickey Gilley's music, the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, and the world's largest niteclub.

Did John Travolta really ride the bull in Urban Cowboy?

John Travolta had a mechanical bull installed in his house two months before production began. He became so good that he was allowed to dismiss the stunt double and do the takes himself.

Who was the real Sissy from Urban Cowboy?

Urban Cowboy (1980) - Debra Winger as Sissy - IMDb.

Who auditioned for Urban Cowboy?

Michelle Pfeiffer auditioned for the part of Sissy before it went to Debra Winger, becoming her first starring role. Patsy Swayze, actor Patrick Swayze's mother, taught Travolta how to dance the Texas two-step for the movie.

Who was the rich girl in Urban Cowboy?

Attractive actress who has played Sadat's wife and Gloria Swanson in the TV miniseries' "Sadat" (1983) and "The Kennedys of Massachusetts" (1990) respectively. Smith's feature career began auspiciously with the role of John Travolta's rich girlfriend in "Urban Cowboy" (1980).

What city in Texas was Urban Cowboy filmed?

The majority of the scenes from Urban Cowboy were shot in Houston, Texas, which provided a unique backdrop for the film. The city's expansive skyline of downtown buildings juxtaposed with the lush countryside of nearby ranches gave a stunningly beautiful contrast that could be seen throughout the movie.

What happened to the actress that played Pam in Urban Cowboy?

Her last TV appearance was in a 1994 episode of Due South, after which she formally retired. Smith later provided some narration in the 2010 documentary film Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture.

What happened to Jim Stafford's son?

Son, Tyler, born during marriage to Bobbie Gentry. His son Sheaffer "Shea" Stafford passed away on November 26, 2020 at age 27. Starring in his own show in Branson, Missouri with his wife and kids. Has his own show and theatre on the famous Highway 76 in Branson, Missouri.

What happened to Mickey Gilley's son?

Indianapolis, Indiana - It brings us incredible sadness to say that Greg Gilley, talented singer, writer, & guitarist for MISERY, has passed away. Greg was the son of legendary country music singer and songwriter Mickey Gilley. His untimely passing has been a devastating blow to those who knew and loved him.

Did Jimmy Swaggart attend Jerry Lee Lewis funeral?

Swaggart and his son Donnie conducted the 40-minute service for Lewis, attended by his widow, Judith Brown Lewis, various family members and close friends, and broadcast live via Mid-South Broadcasting.

Who was the killer the preacher and the cowboy?

The three youngsters from Ferriday were Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley — sometimes known as the Killer, the Preacher and the Cowboy.

Did Jerry Lee Lewis and his 13 year old cousin have children?

They had two children. Their son, Steve Allen Lewis, drowned in a swimming pool accident when he was three; their daughter, Phoebe, lives in Lynchburg, Virginia. Myra Williams divorced Lewis after 13 years of marriage, claiming physical and emotional abuse. She has said that his drug use led to many of their problems.

Who does Bud end up with in Urban Cowboy?

At the club, Bud meets Sissy (Debra Winger), who asks if he is a real cowboy. They fall in love, and soon after Bud asks Sissy to marry him. Their wedding reception is held at Gilley's, and they immediately move into a brand new mobile home.

Are Debra Winger and Richard Gere friends?

Winger has said on more than on occasion that she and Gere are on good terms now and have a sense of humor about their past tension. "I run in to Richard Gere quite a lot and he half jokes: 'Are you still saying terrible things about me?

Who played Bud's aunt in Urban Cowboy?

Brooke Alderson: Corene Davis

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