Sonny James, the country music star know as “The Southern Gentleman” for his quiet demeanor, died on Monday at the age of 87.
Country singer Sonny James dies at age 87 https://t.co/QJLz4GknBX pic.twitter.com/Z06u8x4eVS
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 23, 2016
Enjoying a career that spanned from the mid-1950s to the early 1980s, Sonny James was known for hits including “Young Love,” “That’s Me Without You,” “You’re the Reason I’m in Love,” and “You’re the Only World I Know.”
Once a roommate of Chet Atkins, James signed with Capitol Records early in his career. Aside from a short-lived switch to RCA, he stayed with the record label for the duration of his time as a recording artist.
Sonny James, Country Music Hall of Fame Member, Dies at Age 86https://t.co/YmZIN9EDKI pic.twitter.com/DlEDvbRzmK
— Nash Country Weekly (@countryweekly) February 23, 2016
According to Sonny James’s website, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He holds the record for the most consecutive number one hits by any solo recording artist throughout all musical genres.
This music legend ruled the country charts for nearly 20 years. Sonny James has died at 87 https://t.co/NXjQQLuDIG pic.twitter.com/rOmxihM4jj
— CNN (@CNN) February 23, 2016
Sonny James died at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee of natural causes. He was surrounded by family members and dear friends at the time of his passing.