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So, here we are, standing at the crossroads of stars and song, facing a heavy moment from the music universe. Joe Ely—yes, that legendary Texan troubadour who crisscrossed the Austin scene like a comet in the ’60s and ’70s—has left the stage at 78. Now, isn’t it curious that under today’s Pisces moon, a sign known for its soulful depths and eventual transcendence, the world bids farewell to a man whose melodies felt like a celestial embrace? Ely, who showed us how to weave country grit with rock ’n’ roll spirit, passed peacefully with his loved ones nearby, a fitting finale for someone who beat the odds from day one. As his legacy echoes through the heart of Texas and beyond, one can’t help but wonder—how does a star this bright keep twinkling after it’s gone? Let’s dive deeper into the life of this remarkable artist and the ripple he leaves behind. LEARN MORE
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We have sad news to report from the world of music today.
Joe Ely — the country and rock star who helped put the Austin music scene on the map in the 1960s and ’70s — has passed away.
He was 78 years old.
News of Ely’s death comes courtesy of a statement posted on his Instagram page on Tuesday.
“Legendary songwriter, singer, and raconteur Joe Ely died today from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s and pneumonia,” the statement reads.
“His beloved wife Sharon and daughter Marie were at his side at their home in Taos, New Mexico. Ely was born February 9, 1947 in Amarillo, Texas.
“He was a leader of the extraordinary parade of artists raised in Lubbock who later settled in the live music capital of Austin,” the post continued.
“Ely signed with MCA Records in the 1970s and spent more than five decades recording and performing around the world.”
The statement promised that “a full obituary” and additional information would be provided shortly.
After establishing himself as a traveling musician in the late ’60s, Ely formed the country trio The Flatlanders in 1972.
Following a nearly 20-year hiatus during which their reputation only grew, the Flatlanders reassembled in 1998 to record a song for Robert Redford’s film The Horse Whisperer.
Ely continued touring and recording in the years that followed, releasing his final album, Love and Freedom, in February 2025.
A musician whose influence and fandom stretched well beyond the world of country music, Ely caught the attention of legendary punk band the Clash in 1978 and was later asked to tour with the band.
“I had teachers tell me I wouldn’t make it to 21 when I was going to high school, so I beat the odds,” the iconic musician famously quipped in a 2011 interview.
Ely is survived by his wife and daughter.
Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this incredibly difficult one.
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