Pirde was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, then as the first black member.
He most recently performed at the Country Music Association Awards on November 11.
Charley Pride was known for songs such as "Kiss an angel good mornin" and "Mountain of love" - and on social media, many American artists express their grief after the news, including country legend Dolly Parton.
"I'm so sad that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away.
It's even worse to know that he died of covid-19.
What a horrible, horrible virus - Charley, we will always love you ", she writes on Twitter.