Michael Hurley obit

Michael Hurley, Influential Outsider Folk Singer, Dead at 83

The singer-songwriter influenced a generation of singer-songwriters, from Will Oldham to Lucinda Williams 

He was not on the list.

Folk music pioneer Michael Hurley, known as the "Godfather of freak folk," has died. He was 83.

The singer's family shared news of his death on Thursday in a statement posted by Hurley's record label, No Quarter Records, on Instagram. A cause of death was not disclosed.

"It is with a resounding sadness that the Hurley family announces the recent sudden passing of the inimitable Michael Hurley," the 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."

Representatives for Hurley were not available for comment at the time of publication.

No Quarter Records founder Mike Quinn also mourned Hurley's death in the post, calling the musician "a true American treasure."

"I'm thankful that I got to know him and work with him over the past few years," Quinn said in a statement. "Michael just finished a new album. 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."

Inspired by artists such as Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Hank Williams, Hurley began playing guitar in his late teens and later took to the stage with performances at coffeehouses in New York City, according to a 1997 interview in Popwatch Magazine.

Hurley made his musical debut with 1964's "First Songs" and went on to release 31 albums throughout his decadeslong career. His music has been featured in TV shows and films such as "Hamlet," "Deadwood," "Curve" and "Leave No Trace," according to IMDb.

"I never thought of a career in music," Hurley told The New York Times in a 2021 interview. "What I do is goof off — and try to get away with it."

Hurley's idiosyncratic style of music has been described as "outsider folk," a testament to the Pennsylvania native's self-taught musicianship.

"I started making up stuff right away," Hurley told the Times of his musical beginnings. "If you don't know the proper way, you do it your way. Sometimes, that gives you a better song."

Hurley's final album before his death, "The Time of the Foxgloves," was released in 2021.