Legendary Texas Singer-Songwriter Joe Ely Dies at 78, Cause of Death Revealed

Joe Ely, the renowned Texas songwriting icon who has written songs She Never Spoke Spanish to Me and Settle for Love, dies at the age of 78, his family said in a statement published to his social media accounts Tuesday.

According to the announcement, the cause of death was due to complications arising from Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), Parkinson's disease, and pneumonia. The post also shared that he died peacefully at home in Taos, New Mexico, surrounded by his wife Sharon and daughter Marie.

Born on February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Joe Ely emerged as a defining figure in American roots and country-rock music. He grew up very much identified with the influential Lubbock music scene and later was an important name in Austin's live music circuit. Ely moved to MCA Records during the 1970s and launched a career that would take him onto stages and into studios for over 50 years, from every corner of the world.

The death notice called him a "legendary songwriter, singer, and raconteur," which summed up his lasting contribution to music and storytelling. A full obituary will follow over the coming days.

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Joe Ely's Cause of Death

Joe Ely's death has also turned a brighter spotlight again on Lewy Body Dementia, an often misdiagnosed brain illness. According to the National Institute on Ageing, LBD is characterised by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. These abnormal protein deposits disrupt brain chemistry and cause problems with thinking, movement, behaviour, mood, and essential bodily functions. Symptoms of this disease often overlap with those of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, creating a variety of challenges to diagnosis.

According to other reports, Ely lived with Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system that primarily causes problems with movement, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms can include tremours, rigid muscles, slow movement, and balance problems. While there is no cure for Parkinson's, medications and therapies can help symptoms and improve quality of life.

Additionally, pneumonia is one of the serious infections of the lungs, and always has been a complication in the elderly and those with advanced neurological disorders; it can sometimes prove to be life-threatening in combination with underlying health issues.

As tributes pour in from fans and fellow musicians for Joe Ely, his remembrance will not only be deep-seated in his musical influence but also in the silences between the volumes, regarding how much he could stand and deal with debilitating illnesses.