Outsider people pioneer Michael Hurley has died, aged 83
People music legend Michael Hurley has died, aged 83.
Hurley was a pioneer of the outsider people and freak people actions within the Nineteen Sixties. His demise was confirmed by his household. In a press release to Rolling Stone, his household stated: “It’s with a convincing unhappiness that the Hurley household pronounces the latest sudden passing of the inimitable Michael Hurley. The ‘Godfather of freak people’ was for a prolific half-century the purveyor of an eccentric genius and compassionate wit. He alone was Snock. There isn’t a different. Associates, household, and the music group deeply mourn his loss.”
His household didn’t provide a explanation for demise.
Michael Hurley honed his eccentric perspective in people music within the Nineteen Sixties, releasing his debut album ‘First Songs’ in 1964. Amongst his different celebrated works had been the albums ‘Armchair Boogie’, ‘Hello Fi Snock Uptown’ and the 1976 basic ‘Have Moicy!’, the latter of which went on to change into and underground cult favorite.
Hurley launched over 30 albums in his lifetime, and his largest hits had been songs like ‘The Werewolf’, ‘O My Stars’, ‘Twilight Zone’, ‘Hog of the Forsaken’, ‘It Should Be Gelatine’, ‘Slurf Music’, ‘You Received To Discover Me’ and extra.
In addition to his distinctive tackle people music, Michael Hurley was additionally identified for his inventive hand-illustrated album paintings.
Hurley impressed the likes of Lucinda Williams, Cat Energy – who interpreted ‘The Werewolf’ on her 2003 album ‘You Are Free’, and Devendra Banhart, who would later launch a number of Hurley albums by his Gnomonsong label.
In 2018, Hurley made a cameo look within the acclaimed movie Go away No Hint, performing ‘O My Stars’.
Hurley’s final album was 2021’s ‘The Time of the Foxgloves’, however continued to put in writing and carry out lately. Simply days earlier than his demise, Michael carried out on the Large Ears competition in Tennessee.
Following the information of his demise, a number of musicians have paid tribute to Michael Hurley. The Walkmen‘s Hamilton Leithauser shared a hyperlink to the people legend’s ‘I Paint A Design’, whereas Langhorne Slim wrote in an Instagram story additionally paying homage to the not too long ago deceased Val Kilmer: “Two giants of their craft. Each modified the best way I noticed issues after experiencing their work. Each expanded my notion of artwork. Kings of cool. Relaxation in peace and thanks.”
See extra tributes under.
RIP Michael Hurley 🙌 https://t.co/qDEpWTsu8s
— Hamilton Leithauser (@HLeithauser) April 3, 2025
Me with Michael Hurley. Fairly presumably the worst photograph ever taken of him. The flaming lips had been taking part in within the background and he stated “what is that this shit?” RIP pic.twitter.com/AwTugJhD0Y
— Ryley walker (@ryleywalker) April 3, 2025
RIP michael hurley. i simply noticed him play 5 days in the past at what i feel was his final set. i couldn’t cease crying all the time bc it was so highly effective to see him nonetheless doing his extraordinarily singular and exquisite factor. a large inspiration.
— extra eaze (@more_eaze) April 3, 2025