Joe Ely, the influential Texas singer-songwriter whose blend of honky-tonk, rock and roadhouse blues earned him collaborations with music legends and a devoted following, died December 15 in Taos, New Mexico. He was 78 years old.
Ely died from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia. His wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, were at his side at the time of his death.
Born February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely became a key figure in the progressive country music movement that emerged from Lubbock, Texas. In 1972, he formed The Flatlanders with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, a band that would later be recognized as foundational to the Texas country-rock sound.
After signing with MCA Records in the 1970s, Ely released his self-titled debut album in 1977, launching a solo career that would span more than five decades. He released over 20 albums throughout his career, with his final record, “Love and Freedom,” arriving in February 2025.
Ely’s music transcended genre boundaries, attracting admirers across the rock and country worlds. His dynamic live performances earned him coveted opening slots for some of music’s biggest acts, including the Rolling Stones. But it was his relationship with The Clash that demonstrated his crossover appeal most dramatically.
In 1982, Ely toured with The Clash throughout the United States and United Kingdom, forging a unlikely partnership between Texas country and British punk rock. He sang backup vocals on the band’s hit single “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” cementing his place in rock history.
Bruce Springsteen became one of Ely’s most prominent admirers and collaborators. The two musicians worked together on Ely’s 1995 album “Letter to Laredo,” then reunited nearly three decades later for 2024’s “Driven to Drive.”
“If the world was a fairer place, Joe Ely would have been huge! I mean huge!” Springsteen said while presenting Ely with a special American Music Honors award at Monmouth University. “He had, and has, got it all. He’s a great songwriter, he looks dead cool, he’s a fabulous stage performer always with a great band, and he’s got that voice. The voice I wish I had.”
Following news of Ely’s death, Springsteen posted a tribute on social media expressing his grief over the loss of his friend and collaborator.
Ely’s versatility extended beyond country and rock. He joined the Tex-Mex collective Los Super Seven, with whom he won a Grammy in 1999 for best Mexican-American music performance, his only Grammy award.
Throughout his career, Ely remained deeply connected to his Texas roots. He settled in Austin, becoming part of the city’s vibrant live music scene while maintaining ties to the West Texas landscape that inspired much of his songwriting.
“Over here, we’re deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Ely, a singular American singer, great musician and great artist,” Springsteen wrote. “I was lucky enough to count Joe as a true friend and I will miss that voice and his companionship. Our hearts go out to his wonderful wife Sharon and the family. We’ve lost an American classic.”
Ely’s contributions to American music were formally recognized in 2022 when he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, honoring his role in shaping the progressive country movement and his influence on generations of musicians.
Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, praised Ely’s impact on American music, noting his ability to perform alongside rock legends while maintaining his distinctive Texas sound.
Ely is survived by his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie.