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Michael Hurley, singer-songwriter and ‘Godfather of freak folk,’ dies at 83

BBG News

83-year-old Michael Hurley, a quirky musician known for his work in folk music and as a trailblazer for the “freak-folk” genre, has passed away. His influence on numerous musicians lives on.

With profound sadness, we share that Michael Hurley, affectionately known as the ‘Godfather of freak folk‘, unexpectedly passed away. For over half a century, he was a beacon of eccentric genius and compassionate humor. He was one-of-a-kind, a Snock, and there will never be another like him. The music community, along with his friends and family, are deeply grieving this loss. (This statement was shared with Rolling Stone.)

The family did not offer cause of death or a list of survivors.

Born in Pennsylvania, Hurley developed his unique take on bluegrass, blues, and folk music while immersed in the vibrant Greenwich Village folk scene in New York during the ’60s. He was discovered by producer and folklorist Fred Ramsey during a hitchhiking journey, and subsequently rose to prominence. His debut album, “First Songs,” was released in 1964 on Folkways Records, an esteemed label that had previously showcased the works of Woody Guthrie and the anthology curated by Harry Smith, known as “Anthology of American Folk Music.

Hurley showcased a wide range of skills, primarily creating and drawing the captivating artwork for his albums by hand, as well as mastering several instruments such as banjo and fiddle. His music possessed an unusual, stark beauty that could be both hauntingly beautiful (in songs like “Be Kind to Me” and “Valley of Tears”) and bizarre (“What Made My Hamburger Disappear?” or “You’re a Dog; Don’t Talk to Me”). He was close friends with Jesse Colin Young during their childhood, who later promoted Hurley’s unique perspective by releasing his albums “Armchair Boogie” (1971) and “Hi Fi Snock Uptown” (1972) under his Warner Bros. sublabel, Raccoon.

1976’s “Have Moicy!” gained a following as an under-the-radar classic, and over time, its creator amassed more than 30 LPs. Throughout this journey, independent rock musicians and fellow singer-songwriters such as Lucinda Williams and Cat Power (who eerily covered his track “Werewolf” on her album “You Are Free” from 2003) championed his music. Devendra Banhart also released albums under his label Gnomonsong, and “O My Stars,” one of his songs, was featured in the 2018 film “Leave No Trace,” where he performed it.

He said to The Guardian in 2021, “I believe being labeled an outsider artist is fitting.” He continued, “It took me a considerable amount of time to become part of the group… I disliked the ordeal of seeking jobs, the struggle to break through, all the hassle. Instead, I enjoyed playing at parties, small get-togethers, drinking with friends, and moving about from one side of the river to another.

In his later life, Hurley resided in rural Oregon, where he released his final album titled “The Time of the Foxgloves” in 2021. Even right up until his passing, he continued writing songs and performing at events such as the Big Ears festival in Tennessee, having played only a few days prior to his demise.

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2025-04-04 04:31

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