Kinky Friedman dies at the age of 79

Kinky Friedman, the provocative artist and country singer-songwriter known for songs such as “Sold American,” has died at the age of 79.

On Thursday, June 27, the Texas artist’s official X page (formerly Twitter) posted the news of his death, writing, “Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at 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 quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”

Friedman’s friend Cleve Hattersley also confirmed his death to the TexasTribuneand told the outlet that the musician (real name Richard Samet Friedman) suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

Friedman, born in Chicago, had a reputation for being eccentric. He was known for his sharp one-liners and harsh satire and always wore a brimmed cowboy hat and a cigar in his hand. According to Rolling StoneThe humorist became friends with several US presidents, including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and counted music legends such as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson among his closest friends.

During his active years, Friedman developed an extensive discography that included albums such as 1973’s. Sold American and 1976 Lasso from El Paso — and took an unconventional approach to country music, earning him a cult following among alt-country fans. The New York TimesHe was in a band called Texas Jewboys, which toured a lot in the 70s, once even with Dylan. But the “Resurrection” singer also made a name for himself outside the music world.

A few years ago, Friedman became a prolific author, publishing several crime novels in the 1980s and 1990s. At one point he also wrote for publications such as Rolling Stone And Texas monthly. The Circus of Life The artist was also somewhat active in politics and ran a conspicuous election campaign for the office of Governor of Texas in 2006.

When news of his death broke, Friedman’s close friend Kent Perkins wrote a heartfelt tribute on Facebook to honor his life and legacy.

“My great friend of half a century, Kinky Friedman, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep early this morning,” Perkins began in a post. “He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, compassion, tolerance, subservience and wisdom.”

He also wrote that Friedman was known by friends and family as a “compassionate, soft-spoken, philanthropic man who dedicated much of his life to serving those less fortunate,” adding that the singer and his sister Marcie founded the Echo Hill Ranch Gold Star Camp for boys and girls.

“The Kinkster left his mark on this planet in a brilliant way,” Perkins continued. “He was friends with presidents, homeless people and everyone in between; he treated all people as equals. His heroes included Moses, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.”

Perkins said that until this year, Friedman performed on stage “as long as he could stand with a guitar around his neck,” “and after that he performed sitting down.”

He concluded by saying, “I learned a lot from Kinky. I have never met a more honest, witty, selfless, generous or sincere person than Richard Samet ‘Kinky’ Friedman. Somewhere in heaven there is surely a quiet corner with a big armchair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books and a couple of old dogs wagging their tails at the faint smell of cigar smoke. Rest in peace, my friend.”