He was the Bruce Springsteen of Texas, the country icon of punk, the rock ‘n roll heart of country, and the envy of any singer, songwriter, and guitar player out there that knew their stuff. He was Joe Ely.
The post Joe Ely, The Purveyor of Texas Cool, Has Passed Away first appeared on Saving Country Music.
I just dropped in to see if there was anything new posted but did not expect this. I could sense that things weren’t going well with him but I didn’t realize it was this bad. Not sure what else to say. I saw him a number of times solo and with the reunited Flatlanders. His album “Letter To Laredo” is an essential album for me. With Raul Malo last week, this is a tough couple of weeks.
My only other thought is get out and see these acts now. They won’t be around forever. I was happy REK was touring again and came to town earlier this year. I couldn’t guess how many times I’ve seen him but each one is still a joy.
Totally bummed, he was one of the first guys I heard going to Lubbock in 1980, Honky Tonk Masquerade , was on at all the clubs nonstop. I was hooked. Got to meet him a few times along with Lloyd Maines, Jesse Taylor, Ponty Bone, over the years, my favorite band.
If you are not familiar with his music, take some time to listen to some of the best music you can imagine. Hopefully Joe is up in heaven Jamming at Stubb’s place!
Thanks Joe for all the amazing music and thanks Trigger for this heartfelt writeup. Still hurting from losing Raul and now another long time favorite is gone. Started with Musta Notta Gotta Lotta but have most all of them now. Letters To Laredo may be my fav. Was fortunate to see him one last time at JazzFest a couple years ago with his Flatlander compadres. Condolences to his wife and daughter.
Wow – this year cannot be over soon enough…one of my favorite Ryman Shows was Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, John Hiatt and Joe Ely. The talent and respect for each others songwriting was amazing. Rest in Peace Joe…
Damn. I had read a few months ago about his health issues, but still this is hard to hear. I have been a fan since Honky Tonk Masquerade in 1978. A few years before the Buddy Holly Story movie was released, Jerry Allison had written a script for a diferent movie and asked Joe to play the role of Buddy Holly. That movie never happened because apparently Buddy’s family threatened litigation. But I always thought the world was cheated out of Joe playing Buddy Holly.
Saw him live 16 or 17 times, sometimes usually twice in one weekend, mainly at Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn, and mainly around the Lord of the Highway days when he had David Grissom and Bobby Keys among others in his band. Couple of Flatlanders show, couple of Farm Aid concerts, a duo with Teye, and a bunch other setups.
He always did two songs mentioning hammers in the set. During “everybody got hammered” he punctuate the chorus by pounding a ball peen hammer on the bottom of the microphone stand.
Sad. I was able to see Joe Ely a few times. Once as part of the Flatlanders and a very memorable performance that was later released as Live At Antone’s (2000). I don;t think the crowd knew it was being recorded until he announced it from the stage about midway through the show. He was a true gentleman.
Saw him at Summerfest in Milwaukee in 1989 and he crushed it. Played a small side stage and a modest but boisterous crowd assembled. He owned every moment of that show. Never saw him perform after that so am appreciative of that experience.
Discovered his music when I was a Senior in High School playing around on Youtube. Wish I could have seen him in concert, sadly never got the chance. As someone who loves the open road and seeing whatever town is next, Joe and I were birds of a feather. May he rest in peace.
Wow. I’m floored. Such an icon to us Texans of a certain ilk. I remember hearing an interview of Joe Strummer where he mentioned listening to “Fingernails” on the radio, then hearing Ely was playing in London that night and him trekking to the club. Pumping his Live at Liberty Lunch cd tonight. And for the uninitiated, check out his version of “Deportee” with Los Super Seven. Doesn’t make the crazy, embarrassing times we live in any easier, just puts the in perspective.