The musical legend, Joe Ely, passed away at the age of 78. 'The Road Goes on Forever' singer's family confirmed the heartbreaking news and revealed the cause of death.
Me and Billy the Kid singer, Joe Ely, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was "one of the main movers" of Austin, Texas' progressive country scene in the 1970s and 1980s. The singer's contribution to the musical world is undeniable, making his death come as a massive loss to the industry. The singer passed away on December 15, 2025, (ET).
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 on Monday, December 16, 2025. Joe Ely's family confirmed the heartbreaking news. Within an hour of the announcement, fans and industry associates came forward to share their condolences over the great loss. Monte Warden also shared a tweet confirming the singer's passing. He stated:
"My hero… my template… my friend… Joe Ely passed today. He means as much to me as Buddy, Elvis or Don Everly. Such an artist. Texan. I'm just…heartbroken."
Joe Ely's cause of death was also confirmed by his family. According to reports, the cause of death was complications from Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia. The family revealed that Joe passed away at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife and manager, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, at his side. The singer's Facebook page was also updated with a post which read:
"Legendary songwriter, singer, and raconteur Joe Ely died today from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s and pneumonia. His beloved wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, were at his side at their home in Taos, New Mexico. Ely was born February 9, 1947 in Amarillo, Texas. He was a leader in the extraordinary parade of artists raised in Lubbock who later settled in the live-music capital of Austin."
It was on September 9, 2025, when Joe Ely announced his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's in a Facebook post. The singer's team shared a statement from the singer and his wife, Sharon. Even after such a diagnosis, Joe's message was of hope. The singer hoped to spread awareness and heal through music. A part of the statement read:
"Together with his wife Sharon, Joe is sharing their journey—not to dwell in hardship, but to bring understanding, awareness, and hope through the healing power of music. 'Our story is about how music continues to lift us up,' Sharon shares. 'Revisiting Joe’s recordings and hearing them brought to life again has given him so much joy, and we want others to feel that same joy too.'"
Joe Ely hailed from Amarillo, Texas, and spent most of his teenage years in Lubbock, Texas, while attending Monterey High School. From a young age, Joe Ely knew he had a deep passion for music, and in 1971, he formed a band, The Flatlanders, with fellow Lubbock musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. In 1972, the band recorded its first album. Over the years, Ely built a strong career for himself.
In 1978, Joe Ely played in London, where he met punk rock group, The Clash. Impressed by each other's performance, the two bands toured together, and the group even paid tribute to Joe by including the lyrics, "well, there ain't no better blend than Joe Ely and his Texas Men" in the lyrics of their song, If Music Could Talk, which was released in 1980 on the album, Sandinista!
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We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joe Ely's family.
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