Country Music Singer Sonny James Dies at 87

Variety.com reports that Sonny James, who ruled the country music charts for almost 20 years, died from natural causes Monday night in Nashville. He was 87. James, who was recently hospitalized, was surrounded by family and friends at Alive Hospice at the time of his death, according to a statement on his official website.

His biggest hit, "Young Love," topped the country charts in 1957. During the 1960s and 1970s, James, who was nicknamed the Southern Gentleman, scored 26 No. 1 hits, including 16 consecutive chart toppers. He spent 57 weeks at the top of the charts between 1960 and 1979. "Need You," "Here Comes Honey Again," "It's Just a Matter of Time," "Empty Arms" and "Since I Met You Baby" were among his most memorable songs.

James joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, the year he scored his second No. 1 single, "You're the Only World I Know," and hosted the first-ever CMA Awards two years later. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. James was also the first country artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.