Joe Ely, the country music rocker best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen, the Clash and more, has died. He was 78.
The “Honky Tonk Masquerade” singer’s family announced the devastating news in a Facebook post on Monday.
He died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia, per the post.
His wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, were said to be by his side.
“He was a leader of the extraordinary parade of artists raised in Lubbock who later settled in the live music capital of Austin,” the late Texas native’s loved ones wrote.
“Ely signed with MCA Records in the 1970s and spent more than five decades recording and performing around the world,” they added, noting that a “full obituary and more information will follow in the coming days.”
Born in Amarillo, Texas, on Feb. 9, 1947, the “She Never Spoke Spanish to Me” crooner founded the country band The Flatlanders with fellow Lubbock musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock in 1972.
The trio released their first album, “All American Music,” that same year, before breaking up shortly after to pursue solo careers.
Ely went on to release his first, self-titled album in 1977, then traveled to London, where he crossed paths with the Clash.
He would later tour around the US and the UK with the punk rockers – made up of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Nicky “Topper” Headon – and even sing backing vocals on their 1982 hit single “Should I Stay or Should I Go.”
“Playing with the Clash definitely kicked my band up a notch,” Ely told the Austin Chronicle in 2000. “Growing up in Lubbock, I always hung around with the rock and roll guys, so I came from a rockin’ background.”
“We were playing their venues with them – the Electric Ballroom, Hammersmith Odeon – wild, steamy, crazy shows that were unbelievable,” the hardcore honky tonk legend added.
Springsteen, meanwhile, teamed up with the progressive country music star for Ely’s 1995 album “Letter to Laredo” and again for his 2024 record “Driven to Drive.”
“If the world was a fairer place, Joe Ely would have been huge! I mean huge!” Springsteen, 76, said while presenting the country icon with a special American Music Honors award at Monmouth University this past April.
“He had, and has, got it all,” the Boss continued. “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.”
Springsteen then took to social media to remember the Grammy-winning Texas troubadour after the news of his tragic death broke this week.
“Over here, we’re deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Ely, a singular American singer, great musician and great artist,” the “Glory Days” singer wrote on Instagram Tuesday.
“I was lucky enough to count Joe as a true friend and I will miss that voice and his companionship,” he added. “Our hearts go out to his wonderful wife Sharon and the family. We’ve lost an American classic.”
Ely’s final album, “Love and Freedom,” was released in February.
