Joe Ely was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was 78 years old as of 2025. He played a key role in shaping Austin, Texas’s progressive country music scene during the 1970s and 1980s.
Cause Of Death
In September 2025, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He passed away from complications of Parkinson’s, dementia, and pneumonia at his home in Taos, New Mexico, on December 15, 2025, at the age of 78.
Wife, Parents & Children
According to the reports, he was married. His wife’s name was Sharon Ely. He had a daughter named Marie Elena Ely. He was born to his American parents.
His mother’s name was Mrs Margaret (Morgan) Ely, and his father’s name was Mr Earle Ely Sr. He had two siblings: a brother, Thomas (Marilyn) Ely, and a sister, Mary Ely-Short.
Net Worth, Ethnicity & Religion
According to the reports, his net worth was approximately $48 million from all of his income sources as of 2025. He was of American White Ethnicity. His religious faith was in the Christian religion.
Early Life & Career Details
He was born on 9 February 1947 in Amarillo, Texas, United States. He grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and went to Monterey High School. In 1971, he teamed up with fellow Lubbock musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock to form the band The Flatlanders.
He once said that Jimmie Gilmore was like a deep source of country music. In 1972, the band recorded their first album.
Soon after, they broke up, so each member pursued their own solo careers, though they often contributed to each other’s albums. They came back together in 2002 to release Now Again.
He released his first solo album, named after himself, in 1977. The next year, his band performed in London, where he met the punk rock group The Clash.
He also worked with Dutch flamenco guitarist Teye, recording Letter to Laredo in 1995 and Twistin’ in the Wind in 1998. On May 1, 1982, he held the Third Annual Tornado Jam in Lubbock, attracting 25,000 people.
The first Tornado Jam was organized as a fundraiser to help Lubbock recover after a tornado, which is how it got its name. The second event drew a crowd of 35,000.
In February 2007, he released Happy Songs From Rattlesnake Gulch on his own label, Rack ‘Em Records. In early 2008, he put out a live album recorded in late 2006 at the Cactus Cafe in Austin, Texas, featuring Joel Guzman on accordion.
In 2011, he released the album Satisfied at Last, which received strong praise from critics. In 2016, he served as the “Texas State Musician” for a year, officially accepting the honor in a ceremony at the State Legislature.
In October 2022, he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.
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