Overview

• Michael Hurley, a pioneering figure in folk music, died suddenly at 83 on April 3, 2025, at his home in Astoria, Oregon.
• Hurley performed days before his death at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, and a show in Asheville, North Carolina.
• Known for his eccentric style, Hurley released more than 30 albums, including his acclaimed debut 'First Songs' (1964) and 'The Time of the Foxgloves' (2021).
• He inspired generations of musicians, including Lucinda Williams, Cat Power, and Devendra Banhart, and was celebrated for his hand-drawn album art featuring cartoon wolves.
• Hurley had completed a new album shortly before his death, which is expected to be released posthumously.