Bruce Springsteen pays emotional tribute to Joe Ely: “We’ve lost an American classic”
Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to the late Texan country icon Joe Ely, who died earlier this week.
Ely passed away on December 15th, aged 78, at his home in New Mexico. It was confirmed by a representative that he died due to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s, and pneumonia.
The cult icon’s career began when he formed the underground country band The Flatlanders in the 1970s, alongside musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. However, he then left the music industry behind before an unlikely friendship with The Clash’s Joe Strummer would lead to his return.
Ely, who sang backing vocals on the iconic Clash hit ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’, eventually reunited throughout the 1990s and 2000s with The Flatlanders
While Ely never became a household name, he rubbed shoulders with many huge stars who respected his work greatly, with Springsteen’s glowing eulogy a testament to his status in the music industry.
Taking to social media on December 16th, Springsteen mournfully wrote, “Over here, we’re deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Ely, a singular American singer, great musician and great artist.”
He emotionally continued, I was lucky enough to count Joe as a true friend and I will miss that voice and his companionship. Our hearts go out to his wonderful wife Sharon and the family. We’ve lost an American classic.”
The West Texan hero has also been honoured by Austin City Limits, who took to social media to pay homage to the local icon, writing, “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of music legend Joe Ely. To us here at Austin City Limits as well as far beyond our stage, Ely was recognized as an icon – a maverick, genre-agnostic songwriter who gave performances that alternated between touching our hearts and melting down our cameras.”
Ely is survived by his wife, Sharon and his daughter, Marie.
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