Singer from Texas dies at 79

Singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman has died. He was 79 years old.

A statement from Friedman’s X-Account confirmed his death on Thursday.

“Kinky Friedman walked under a rainbow on his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends. Kinkster suffered tremendous pain and unimaginable loss over the past few years, but he never lost his fighting spirit and wit,” said the statement on the social media platform, formerly Twitter.

“Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung,” the message concluded.

The cause of death has not yet been determined.

His friend Kent Perkins confirmed that Friedman died in his sleep at home on Thursday.

“He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, compassion, tolerance, submission and wisdom,” Perkins said on Facebook. He was famous as a best-selling author, humorist, songwriter and singer. But we, his close friends and family, knew him as a rescuer of unwanted dogs and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic, soft-spoken man who dedicated much of his life to serving those less fortunate.”

Perkins added, “I learned a lot from Kinky. I have never met a more honest, witty, selfless, generous or sincere person than Richard Samet ‘Kinky’ Friedman.”

Friedman grew up in Texas and formed his first band, King Arthur & the Carrots, while a student at the University of Texas.

In 1973 he formed his second band, Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys.

Friedman released his first album, “Sold American,” in 1973 and became a successful country and western singer.

He continued to release music until 2018.

His most famous songs included “Sold American,” “Honky Town Heroes,” “Ride ’em Jewboy,” “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore,” and “The Ballad of Charles Whitman.”

From 1975 to 1976 he toured with Bob Dylan.

Friedman claimed to be the first Jew to perform on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

In 2006, Friedman ran as an independent for governor of Texas.

He received 12% of the vote and lost to Rick Perry.

“I wrote my will,” Friedman said of the 2014 election, according to Rolling Stone.

“When I die, I will be cremated and the ashes will be sprinkled in Rick Perry’s hair,” he added.