Ed Askew, the celebrated cult folk musician and painter, has passed away at the age of 84. Known for his intimate songwriting and haunting melodies, Askew’s death follows a period of ongoing health struggles, during which he had been receiving hospice care. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Jay Pluck, Askew’s longtime manager and friend, shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on the lasting impact of Askew’s music. “Ed was a brave gay songwriter from the beginning, and I hope more people come to know this,” Pluck wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “Ed’s music changed the lives of people from many generations and continues to do so.”
The news was confirmed on Instagram by Pluck, who posted a video of Askew performing live, alongside a photo of him standing in front of his artwork. Pluck included a quote from Askew’s 2013 song Crazy Angels, emphasizing the timeless nature of the artist’s work. The post was followed by an announcement that a memorial service would be held in early spring. “Ed was a genius artist and a genius person, and I love him,” Pluck added.
A tribute was also paid by Jerry David DeCicca, who had the honor of producing Askew’s 2013 album For the World. DeCicca shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, recalling his time working with Askew: “Goodbye, Ed Askew. You were loved and always will be. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life & music. Producing For the World was an honor.”
Born in Stamford, Connecticut, on December 1, 1940, Askew’s early life was rooted in both art and music. He moved to New Haven in 1963 to study painting at Yale Art School, graduating in 1966. That same year, instead of responding to the draft, Askew took up a teaching job at a private prep school in Connecticut, where he began writing songs and playing his Martin Tiple guitar. “I must have written 25 songs that semester,” Askew recalled, “all of the material on Unicorn and possibly some stuff on Little Eyes.”
In 1967, Askew’s musical journey took a significant turn when he moved to New York and met Bernard Stollman of ESP Disk’, who offered him a record contract. It was with ESP that Askew would release his debut album, Ask the Unicorn, in 1968. Over the next several decades, Askew’s career evolved, with performances in New Haven and later New York City, where he continued to write, record, and occasionally perform live.
Throughout his illustrious career, Askew released 11 albums, including These Nights and Days (1999), Little Eyes (2005), and his final album, London (2020). His work resonated deeply with fans of folk and outsider music, capturing a unique blend of raw emotion and poetic depth.
Alongside his music, Askew enjoyed a prolific career as a painter and poet. In recent years, he exhibited his new works in galleries in Brooklyn and Brussels, demonstrating the wide range of his artistic talent. He was also a regular performer at the Poetry Project and published several books of poetry, further solidifying his place in the world of avant-garde art and music.
Askew’s legacy will live on through his music, paintings, and poetry, continuing to inspire future generations of artists and musicians.
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