Singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman dies at the age of 79: “He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty and compassion”

Singer-songwriter and satirist Kinky Friedman has died at the age of 79. His death was confirmed in a post on his X account. The cause of death has not yet been announced.

“Kinky Friedman walked under 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,” the post read.

“He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty and compassion”

In a Facebook post, Friedman’s friend Kent Perkins said the singer died in his sleep. “He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, compassion, tolerance, subservience and wisdom,” Perkins wrote, among other things.

“He was friends with presidents, homeless people and everyone in between; all people were equally valuable to him. His heroes included Moses, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill,” Perkins continued.

Perkins added: “His books are printed in many languages ​​and are popular around the world. Several of his novels feature a character described as ‘Kent Perkins, private detective.’ He has involved many of us, his best friends, in a successful series of humorous crime novels revolving around the amateur investigation of a down-and-out singer-songwriter named Kinky Friedman, who lives at 199B Vandam Street in Greenwich Village, New York.”

Kinky Friedman’s career

Friedman’s real name was Richard Friedman. He grew up in Texas. While a student at the University of Texas, he formed his first band – King Arthur & the Carrots. His second band – Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys – was formed in 1973.

That same year, Friedman released his first solo album, Sold American. Friedman’s most popular songs include 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, Friedman toured with Bob Dylan. He claimed to be the first Jew to walk on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Friedman began using cocaine heavily in the 1980s. In 2018, he told Rolling Stone, “It wasn’t the highlight of my life.”

Friedman ran for governor of Texas as an independent in 2006. He lost to Rick Perry despite receiving only 12% of the vote.

“I have written my will,” Friedman said in 2014. “When I die, I will be cremated and the ashes will be scattered in Rick Perry’s hair.”

Friedman was also an author and wrote crime novels. He was a columnist for Texas Monthly.