Joe Ely, the Texas country-rock pioneer who shaped Austin’s progressive music scene with collaborations from Bruce Springsteen to the Clash, died at 78.

Legendary Texas songwriter and singer Joe Ely died on Monday at his home in Taos, New Mexico, at the age of 78.

He bridged the gap between country and rock fans by opening for rock acts like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Kinks, the Pretenders, and Stevie Nicks.