R.I.P. - Joe Ely passed away on December 15, 2025

On Wednesday, December 15, 2025, American singer-songwriter and country outlaw Joe Ely passed away at the age of 78 from complications of dementia, Parkinson's disease, and pneumonia. He was only diagnosed last September.

Joe Ely, from Lubbock, Texas, was one of the so-called country outlaws of the early 1970s, a group that also included Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt, and Guy Clark (to name just a few). While his self-titled debut solo album wasn't released until 1977, he followed it with many more, culminating in "Love and Freedom" in 2025. His influence on the scene is undeniable.

Throughout his career, he toured with artists such as the Rolling Stones and The Clash, demonstrating that Ely knew no musical boundaries. In 1971, he founded the band The Flatlanders with two other musicians, but they disbanded after only one album (1972). The band reunited in the early 2000s and released the album "Now Again," which they followed with several more.

Rest in peace, Joe!

The Best of Joe Ely | Live From Austin City Limits TV

Joe Ely "The Road Goes on Forever"

 

RIP

 

I first heard Joe Ely when I saw him open for The Clash in Austin in 1979. While on that tour, he took them to Buddy Holly's grave in Lubbock. His voice and the sound of his band was that of Texas itself. If you've never heard him, start with the Honky Tonk Masquerade album. At least a couple of its songs were written by Butch Hancock, who's also essential in Texas music.

 

Another icon bites the dust
Who cannot be replaced,
Wasn't made out of soft stuff,
And didn't write in copy/paste

RIP

 

Last edited: Dec 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM