Joe Ely, together with fellow Texans Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, formed the band, The Flatlanders. Ely passed away on December 15 at 78 in Taos, New Mexico, after suffering from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, and pneumonia, as per his spokesperson.His family announced that Ely was surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, at the time of his death. Ely was known for being "one of the main movers" of Texas' progressive country scene in the 1970s and 80s.Ely had performed with Bruce Springsteen, Uncle Tupelo, Los Super Seven, The Chieftains, James McMurtry, The Clash, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark.More about Joe Ely's music careerJoe Ely was born in Amarillo, Texas, and spent his teenage years in Lubbock, Texas. He formed The Flatlanders with fellow Texans Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock in 1971.In 1972, the band recorded their first album, All American Music. While the album was unreleased since the band broke up just after their first album was recorded, it appeared as an 8-track tape in 1973. The three artists went on to pursue solo careers and have also appeared on each other's albums. The three reformed for 2002's Now Again. Ely released his first self-titled album in 1977. The following year, The Flatlanders played in London, where they met punk rock group, The Clash. The two bands were impressed with each other's performances and decided to tour together in Lubbock, Laredo, and Ciudad Juárez.In May 1982, Joe Ely organized the Third Annual Tornado Jam in Lubbock, featuring several artists, including Leon Russell, Joan Jett, and The Crickets.In 1979, Ely opened for The Clash for the first time in Texas and then in the UK in 1980. He also opened for the Rolling Stones in 1981.In the late 1990s, Ely was asked to write songs for the soundtrack of Robert Redford's movie The Horse Whisperer, which led him to reform The Flatlanders. The trio released a new album in 2002 and in 2004. Fellow Texas artist, Monte Earden of the Wagoners, paid tribute to Joe Ely on social media and said,"My hero - my template - my friend - Joe Ely passed today. He means as much to me as Buddy, Elvis, or Don Everly. Such an artist. Texan. I'm just ...heartbroken."Ely is survived by his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie.