Joe Ely, Texas Country-Rock Hero Who Grew His Fan Base Touring With the Clash, Dies at 78

Key Highlights

• 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.
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• 9, “not to dwell in hardship, but to bring understanding, awareness and hope through the healing power of music,” he and his wife said in a statement at the time.
• Popular on Variety “My hero… my template… my friend… Joe Ely passed today,” tweeted Monte Warden, of another pioneering roots-rock act to rise up in that era, the Wagoneers.
• “He means as much to me as Buddy, Elvis or Don Everly.