Posted on 12/16/2025 5:55:38 AM PST by Michael.SF.
Joe Ely, the singer-songwriter who helped drive a new wave of Texas-based music that united rock and country fans in the 1980s and beyond, died Monday. The cause of death was complications from Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's disease and pneumonia.
An announcement from the family said that Ely died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife and manager, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, at this side.
In 1999, Modern Twang writer David Goodman called the Lubbock-bred Ely "the consummate alternative country artist of the last 25 years,” and the passage of another quarter-century and change since that remark was made has not dimmed the accuracy of the description, in the minds of many roots-rock aficionados.
However much his music was country-based, at least in its earliest stages, Ely was beloved by several generations of rockers, many of whom first discovered him in plum spots opening for the biggest artists of the day, at their behest. Forty-five years ago this week, Ely was working as a support act for the Rolling Stones on a stadium tour, and he is equally renowned and remembered for his stint opening for the Clash. He also opened for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 17 times, along with acts including Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, the Pretenders, the Kinks and Jimmy Cliff.
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Not well known nationally, despite some of the names mentioned above, I long thought he was deserving of more acclaim than he received.
RIP Joe
Saw him with Lovett, etc. shortly after Lyle performed at W’s inauguration. He let his politics wreck that show by slamming Bush.
Saw Joe more times than I can count in Lubbock 1982-1986 at Fat Dawgs, Coldwater Country, Stubbs BBQ and other long gone venues. A great performer and artist. And a great Texan. RIP.
Stubbs is out of business?
Sorry to hear this. I was listening to Honky Tonk Masquerade just the other day.
Swapped shows with him in Ft. Worth way back in ‘74. Good guy, very sorry to hear.
Rest In Peace, Joe Ealy.
He never did that in the times that I saw him, but from some of songs, I sensed he was a liberal. But, that is not a 'kiss of death' to me regarding my enjoyment of his music.
Ely was a regular playing at Cold Water in Lubbock (Texas y’all) in the 1970’s.
The comments were between songs, not in the songs. Guy Clark and John Hiatt were there. Hiatt and Lovett said nothing objectionable.
It was Redwood City. When a 6’2” drag queen sat next to my wife I changed seats and made a few things clear.
Stubbs in Lubbock is long gone. He moved to Lubbock in the mid 1980’s.
He was performing at Nick's, a small venue in the Lower Greenville section of Dallas. During the course of the evening I was talking to a photographer, who happened to be the girlfriend of the bass player. I ended up buying a picture from her, of that night, which featured Joe prominently and the Neon "Nick's" sign behind him.
Years later Joe was touring with Lyle Lovett and the late Guy Clark. I took the picture with me. During the course of the evening, I spoke to the roadie who was selling the Joe Ely Tee shirts and CD's. Showed him the picture. He said he would get Joe to sign it. I gave him the picture and my business card.
I left the venue that night w/o the picture.
Fast forward 3-4 months, I get a phone call, it's Joe Ely. "I think I have something that belongs to you." He says.
We then chatted for about twenty minutes, with him asking first about the picture.
I reminded him of that night at Nick's, as it was very memorable. After the show, Carl Perkins (who had opened for the Stones at the Cotton Bowl) and Debert McClinton (who played piano for Carl that night) showed up and a jam session commenced for about a good hour or more.
Joe remembered that night, as he said playing with Carl Perkins was a big deal for him. I still have the picture, now signed and hanging on the wall.
RIP, Joe.
I had never heard the term: "Cornbread Moon" until I bought that album in the early '80's. I now use it each time the opportunity comes up. Not every full moon, is a cornbread moon, but when it is, you can see why the term fits.
Good song, but I’ve got “West Texas Waltz” stuck in my head for the time being.
The one in Austin is still open
“He never did that in the times that I saw him, but from some of songs, I sensed he was a liberal.”
Music is show business, you get exposed to the Hollywooders and jet setters as you move up. The pressure to be “In with the In Crowd is massive”.
“I’m in with the In Crowd
I go where the In Crowd goes”
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