The music world mourns the loss of the highly acclaimed singer-songwriter Michael Hurley, a legendary figure in folk music, who passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by his family. Hurley breathed his last at his home in Astoria, Oregon, shortly after concluding a series of performances at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, marking a poignant end to a vibrant career.
His family shared the news with “deep sadness,” remembering him fondly by his widely known nickname, “Snock,” a moniker that captured a part of his unique charm and persona.
Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, just before Christmas in 1941, Michael Hurley began his musical journey in his teenage years, composing his own songs and learning to play instruments. The summers of his youth were filled with the sounds of artists like Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton, whose music profoundly shaped his burgeoning musical style and artistic vision.
Hurley received his first guitar at around age 16. Much of his teenage years were spent traveling across the country. This period of travel and exploration eventually led him to the vibrant music community of Greenwich Village in New York City.
During one of his travels, a chance encounter with folklorist Fred Ramsey proved pivotal; Ramsey, living nearby, rescued Hurley and later produced his debut album, significantly contributing to introducing Hurley’s distinctive sound to a wider audience, though the recording process was a challenge due to a prolonged battle with mononucleosis.
Following his recovery, the 22-year-old Hurley recorded his debut album in 1963, aptly titled *First Songs*, a release that immediately cemented his status as a notable presence in the American folk music tradition.
The inclusion of country blues elements in *First Songs* set Hurley apart from the contemporary folk scene, and while the album wasn’t a mainstream hit initially, it gained critical acclaim in the mid-2000s, recognized as a major influence on a new generation of “weird folk” artists.
Beyond his captivating vocals and guitar skills, Hurley enriched his musical palette by mastering the violin and banjo, further showcasing his versatility, while his talent also shone through in his intricate illustrations and cartoons that graced many of his album covers, adding a distinct visual dimension to his artistic identity.
Throughout his extensive career, Michael Hurley remained a remarkably prolific artist, amassing a substantial body of work that includes over 30 albums, a testament to his enduring creativity and his unique fusion of bluegrass, weird folk, and blues, often characterized by his knack for capturing peculiar ideas and fleeting moments.
Hurley’s songs are celebrated for their unique and evocative quality, ranging from the tender beauty found in tracks like “Be Kind to Me” and “Valley of Tears” to the wonderfully surreal narratives in songs such as “What Made My Hamburger Disappear?” or “You’re a Dog; Don’t Talk to Me,” alongside unforgettable tunes like ‘Sweedeedee’ and “Werewolf.”
Unlike pursuing a traditional career path, Hurley prefers informal settings. “I prefer playing at parties. Small gatherings. Drinking with friends, crossing rivers.” This attitude reflects his independent spirit and focus on the joy of music performance.
Hurley spent the final years of his life in Astoria, a rural area of Oregon. His last full-length album, “The Time of the Foxgloves,” was released in 2021. Despite his advanced age, he remained an active performing artist until his passing.
His final performances were a vibrant testament to his enduring passion, taking place just days before his passing at the Big Ears Festival 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee, on March 28, 2025, and a concert at the AyurPrana Listening Room in Asheville, North Carolina, on March 31, with his family confirming that he continued to create music until his very last moments.
