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Joe Ely, Texas Roots-Rock Pioneer and Flatlanders Co-Founder, Dies at 78

He disclosed diagnoses of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s in September.

Overview

  • He died Monday at home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, present, according to a family announcement.
  • The family cited complications from Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia as the causes.
  • Over five decades, he bridged country and rock, releasing 17 studio albums, including Love and Freedom earlier this year.
  • He co-founded the Flatlanders in 1971 with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock and later reunited with the trio for multiple albums.
  • He opened for the Rolling Stones, the Clash and Tom Petty, contributed backing vocals to the Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go?, and was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2022, with more details from his family expected soon.