Michael Hurley, Godfather of Freak Folk, Dead at 83

Michael Hurley has died. The singer, who’s known as the godfather of freak folk, died suddenly on April 3, his family announced on Instagram. He was 83.

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“It is with a resounding sadness that the Hurley family announces the recent sudden passing of the inimitable Michael Hurley,” the Hurley family statement read. “The ‘Godfather of freak folk’ was for a prolific half-century the purveyor of an eccentric genius and compassionate wit. He alone was Snock. There is no other. Friends, family, and the music community deeply mourn his loss.”

Mike O’Quinn, who founded Hurley’s record label, No Quarter Records, also released a statement.

“So sad to hear about Michael Hurley,” O’Quinn said. “A true American treasure. I’m thankful that I got to know him and work with him over the past few years.”

“Michael just finished a new album,” he continued. “It was mastered the week before he died, and he was very proud of it (as he should be… it’s outstanding). Hopeful it will see the light of day soon.”

No cause of death has been announced as of yet. However, Hurley had long battled cancer.

NPR reported that, a March trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, Hurley “was so sick” that he didn’t think he’d be able to perform a full set, though he went on to do just that three days in a row. He died the same day he returned home from Oregon from his time on the road, the outlet reported.

Michael Hurley’s Life and Career

Born in Pennsylvania in 1941, the self-taught folk singer and guitarist released his debut album, First Songs, in 1964.

Hurley, who was known to draw his albums’ unique cover art, went on to release more than 20 LPs over the next five-plus decades. His final release during his lifetime was The Time of the Foxgloves in 2021.

Per NPR, prior to Hurley’s death, he had finished recording and designing the artwork for his next album, Broken Homes and Gardens, which is due out this summer.

“Calling me an outsider artist, yes, I think it’s apt. It’s taken me a long time to join the gang,” Hurley told The Guardian in 2021. “… The way music comes to you, it’s like dreaming. Something’s going on. Melodies just drop into my thinking… Oftentimes, musicians have trouble with irregularities, but not everyone’s the same. That’s how it is. Some people feel its beauty.”

Photo by Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images