Kinky Friedman, eccentric singer and author, dies at 79

Kinky Friedman, the quirky country singer-songwriter known for his witty musings, novels and memorable one-liners, died Wednesday at his Texas home at age 79.
In a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, his death was announced: “Kinky Friedman walked under a rainbow on his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends. Kinkster endured 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.” The Texas Tribune confirmed that the cause of death was Parkinson’s disease.
Friedman’s unique charm and “fearless Texan chutzpah,” as his friend Taj Mahal described him, were evident in his writings, campaign speeches, songs and interviews. This magnetism made him a media darling and a songwriter’s songwriter, endearing him to several U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and forging close friendships with music legends such as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.
In 2006, Friedman launched a quirky and unconventional campaign for governor of Texas, receiving 12 percent of the vote. Known for his sharp humor, he once quipped in 2014, “I’ve written out my will. When I die, I’ll be cremated and the ashes will be sprinkled in Rick Perry’s hair.”
He was born Richard Samet Friedman in Chicago in 1944. He was the son of two Jewish progressives who moved with the family to Houston and founded the Echo Hill Ranch, a summer camp that the family ran for decades. Echo Hill was a place that Friedman called home for most of his life.
Friedman’s path took him to college in Austin, then to the Peace Corps in Borneo, and finally to Nashville in the early 1970s to pursue songwriting. To combat his stage fright, he adopted the stage name “Kinky,” a play on a nickname from college.
Friedman’s legacy is marked by his diverse contributions to music, literature and politics. His unconventional path and unwavering spirit left a lasting mark and he will be remembered through his artistic works and the memories of those who knew him.
(Courtesy of TS)