Joe Ely, a Texas-born singer-songwriter hailed for his pioneering work in country and rock in the ’70s, ’80s and beyond, has died. He was 78 years old.
How Did Joe Ely Die?
His family confirmed the news on social media, saying that his cause of death was complications of Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia.
Ely died at home in Taos, N.M., with his wife Sharon and daughter Marie at his side.
Who Was Joe Ely?
Born on Feb. 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely moved to Austin and became a pioneer of a wave of country rock artists that shaped the Americana, outlaw and roots music formats.
He formed his first band, the Flatlanders, in the early ’70s and released his first solo album, a self-titled project, in 1977…