Michael Hurley, RIP

Cultishly loved folk legend Michael Hurley has passed away at the age of 83. The news comes from his family, who write, “It is with a resounding sadness that the Hurley family announces the recent sudden passing of the inimitable Michael Hurley. 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.”

Hurley was born on December 20, 1941 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and was part of the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 60s and 70s. His most recent album, 2021’s The Time of the Foxgloves, was his first in 12 years, but he continued to work on music and perform right up until his death. He’d recently gotten home to Oregon after performing at the 2025 Big Ears festival this past weekend, and he was also on the Pickathon lineup.

Union Pool, where Hurley performed regularly, wrote, “Rest in peace Michael Hurley. We were so lucky to host you the many times over the years. It was always such a treat for you to ramble in here every few years with all your tchotchkes, talking about the pig next door that won’t let you sleep, and watch you rehearse songs you wrote 50+ years ago. RIP Snock – We’ll never be seein anyone like you again.”

Rest in peace, Michael.