The first cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart, he grew up around Ferriday, Louisiana. Prefer the two, he as well is an accomplished pianist. Mickey Gilley got thirty-nine county music Top Ten hits of which 17 went to the There is no.I spot on the stock and index charts. Around 1976, he was voted "Top Male Vocalist" & "Entertainer of the Year" per Academy of Country Music.

For his contribution to the recording industry, Mickey Gilley has the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6930 Hollywood Blvd.

He is known for his club "Gilley's" which was featured in the picture show Urban Cowboy. the club closed withwithin the late 1980s & in 1989, Gilley opened a freshly club in Branson, Missouri.

His boy, Keith Gilley, is also the musician.