“His songs are timeless – you can’t tell if they were written in the 1400s or now”: Michael Hurley, guitarist and singer/songwriter known as the ‘Godfather of freak folk,’ dies at 83

Michael Hurley performs onstage in Camber, East Sussex on June 23, 2013.

Michael Hurley, a unique guitarist and songwriter known as the ‘Godfather of freak folk,’ died last week at the age of 83.

His death was confirmed in a statement sent to Rolling Stone from his family, which read, “It is with a resounding sadness that the Hurley family announces the recent sudden passing of the inimitable Michael Hurley.