Ed Askew, Cult Folk Musician and Painter, Dies at 84
Ed Askew, the revered cult folk musician and painter, has passed away at the age of 84. The news of his death was confirmed on Instagram by his close collaborator, Jay Pluck, on Saturday, January 4. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Pluck paid tribute to Askew in an emotional post, writing, “Rest in Peace, Ed Askew (Dec 1, 1940 – Jan 4, 2025) — we love you forever.” The post featured a live performance video of Askew and a photograph of him standing next to one of his artworks. Pluck also shared lyrics from Askew’s 2013 song “Crazy Angels” and announced that a memorial will be held in early spring. “Ed was a genius artist and a genius person, and I love him,” Pluck wrote, inviting fans to reach out for more updates and photos.
Jerry David DeCicca, who produced Askew’s 2013 album For the World, also paid his respects on Instagram, calling it an honor to have worked with him. “Goodbye, Ed Askew. You were loved and always will be,” he wrote, accompanied by an image of Askew’s records and a photo of him with a dog.
Born in Stamford, Connecticut, on December 1, 1940, Askew moved to New Haven in 1963 to study painting at Yale Art School. After graduating in 1966, he was drafted but instead found work as a teacher at a private prep school. During this period, Askew began writing songs and purchased his Martin Tiple, which would become central to his music. He recorded his debut album, Ask the Unicorn, in 1968, followed by several others over his career, including These Nights and Days (1999) and Little Eyes (2005). His final album, London, was released in 2020.
Askew’s music, marked by its haunting melodies and poetic lyrics, earned him a devoted following throughout his career. He leaves behind a legacy of unique, timeless folk music and vibrant visual art.
