Singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman dies at the age of 79, friend Kent Perkins pays emotional tribute

Friedman, born in Chicago, was known for his eccentricities. He was known for his sharp one-liners and humor, and was always seen wearing a cowboy hat and smoking a cigar. He became friends with several U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and considered music superstars such as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson his friends.

During his active years, Friedman amassed a considerable repertoire, including albums such as “Sold American” (1973) and “Lasso from El Paso” (1976), and took an unusual approach to country music, earning him cult status among alternative country music lovers. According to the New York Times, he was a member of the Texas Jewboys, a band that toured extensively in the 1970s, including a performance with Dylan. But the “Resurrection” singer also made a name for himself outside the music industry.

Friedman became a prolific author several years ago, publishing several crime novels in the 1980s and 1990s. He previously wrote for Rolling Stone and Texas Monthly.

When the news of his death became known, Kent Perkinswrote 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.”

“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,” he concluded, according to People.