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Ely, a legend of Texas music, died Monday at 78<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\tBruce Springsteen<\/a> has always been a vocal fan of Joe Ely<\/a>, the progressive Texas country legend who mixed country music with rock on albums like Honky Tonk Masquerade<\/em>, was a member of the cult favorite band the Flatlanders, and even toured with the Clash. Ely died <\/a>Monday at 78 after a long illness.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cOver here, we\u2019re deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Ely, a singular American singer, great musician and great artist,\u201d Springsteen wrote on social media on Tuesday, paying tribute to Ely. \u201cI 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\u2019ve lost an American classic.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to a rep for Ely, the songwriter died \u201cfrom complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson\u2019s and pneumonia. His beloved wife Sharon and daughter Marie were at his side at their home in Taos, New Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n