Overview
- His family said he died December 15 at home in Taos, New Mexico, from complications of Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia, with his wife Sharon and daughter Marie at his side.
- Ely publicly disclosed his Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s diagnoses in September in a Facebook post aimed at raising awareness.
- A co-founder of the Flatlanders, he later shared a Grammy with Los Super Seven and earned major honors including Texas State Musician (2016), an Americana lifetime award (2007) and induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame (2022).
- He opened for the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, toured with the Clash and sang backing vocals on their hit “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” and collaborated with Bruce Springsteen, who praised him in a tribute.
- His final album, Love and Freedom, was released in February 2025, and his family said a fuller obituary and additional details will follow in the coming days.