`Honky-tonk` country music icon Ray Price dies at 87

Washington: Ray Price, who has been considered as one of the best male voices of country music, has lost his long battle with cancer and passed away. He was 87.

A family spokesman said that the American singer died at his ranch outside Mount Pleasant, Texas, People Magazine reported. In 2011, the `For The Good Times` hit maker was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but when it spread to his liver, intestines and lungs, he stopped the treatments. When he left the hospital to receive hospice care at home, his wife, Janie Price , conveyed her husband`s "final message" to his fans. Price`s wife said that her husband loved his fans and had devoted his life to reaching out to them, and appreciates their support. Janie said that her husband hoped that he hadn`t let his fans down, adding that Ray claimed that he was at peace and hopes to see everyone again one day. Price, who had more than 100 titles on the Billboard country chart from 1952 to 1989, helped invent the genre`s honky-tonk sound early in his career.