Back to news
Chuck Mangione, Grammy-winning jazz musician who played himself on “King of the Hill”, dies at 84
@Source: ew.com
Chuck Mangione, the Grammy-winning jazz artist who achieved international success with his 1978 single "Feels So Good," has died. He was 84.
Mangione died peacefully in his sleep at his Rochester, N.Y., home on Tuesday, his manager confirmed to Entertainment Weekly.
"Chuck’s love affair with music has been characterized by his boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm, and pure joy that radiated from the stage," said a statement from Mangione's family. "His appreciation for his loyal worldwide fans was genuine as evidenced by how often he would sit at the edge of the stage after a concert for however long it took to sign autographs for the fans who stayed to meet him and the band."
Born in Rochester on November 9, 1940, Mangione was raised in a musical household, with his father exposing him to jazz at a very young age. In addition to playing their records, his parents often invited jazz stars over for dinner, with guests including Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae.
Mangione's own musical journey began with piano lessons, before he asked to switch to the trumpet instead. The musician went on to earn his bachelors degree in music from the Eastman School of Music, where he would eventually start the Eastman Jazz program.
A trumpeter and flugelhorn player, Mangione soon gained acclaim for his work as both an instrumentalist and composer. With his older brother, Gap, Mangione formed the Jazz Brothers, kicking off his career as a recording artist. Gillespie, who became a mentor for the young musician, later recommended him for a spot in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, which he jumped at the chance to fill.
The musician won his first Grammy for the 1976 album Bellavia, followed by his second for the Children of Sanchez soundtrack. But it was his mega-hit single, "Feels So Good," that catapulted him to worldwide recognition. He would next gain acclaim for composing and performing "Give it All You Got," which was the theme song for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
Mangione continued to record and tour extensively throughout the 1980s, taking a hiatus from music in 1989. He picked up his horn once again after Gillespie's death in 1994.
Recent years have seen new audiences introduced to Mangione via his regular gig as a guest character on King of the Hill. The series saw the musician play a parody of himself, as a Mega Lo Mart spokesperson often touting his fluegelhorn. Mangione appeared in several episodes, including the 2009 series finale.
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
Across his 60-year career, Mangione recorded over 30 albums, and was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, of which he won two. His popular track "Feels So Good" has remained ubiquitous and is frequently used in movie soundtracks, including 1996's Fargo, 2009's Zombieland, and 2016's Doctor Strange. It has also been featured in shows such as South Park, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, iZombie and The Simpsons.
Related News
05 May, 2025
“He still wants to play another two or t . . .
29 Jul, 2025
Joao Felix Trains Alongside Cristiano Ro . . .
15 Apr, 2025
Foolish to not plan for US tariffs to re . . .
08 Jul, 2025
Olympic fencing star CLEARED of doping a . . .
26 Apr, 2025
Motherwell 3, St Johnstone 2: Well secur . . .
29 May, 2025
5 ways to cook with maize flour
23 Mar, 2025
Pregnant Kylie Kelce and Jason Kelce Mou . . .
23 Apr, 2025
We welcome criticism but you crossed the . . .