Joe Ely, Texas Singer-Songwriter, Dies at 78

Joe Ely, the influential Texas singer-songwriter whose raw blend of country, rock, and blues shaped the progressive country movement, died Monday at his home in Taos, New Mexico. He was 78.

Ely passed away from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's disease, and pneumonia, with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, by his side, according to a family statement posted on his official Facebook page. The announcement noted that a full obituary would follow in the coming days. Ely had publicly shared his health struggles in September, emphasizing the role of music in bringing awareness and hope. "Our story is about how music continues to lift us up," Sharon Ely said in the earlier statement. The couple planned to release rediscovered recordings to share that joy with others.

Born on February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely grew up in Lubbock before becoming a fixture in Austin's vibrant music scene. He launched his career in 1972 by co-founding the country-rock band The Flatlanders with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. Their debut album, "Any Old Time," captured the wide-open spirit of West Texas but initially received little attention. The group disbanded soon...