Singer-songwriter and satirist Kinky Friedman has died at age 79. He handed approach at his household’s Texas ranch close to San Antonio.
An announcement posted to Friedman’s X account confirmed his loss of life on Thursday.
“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by household & buddies. Kinkster endured super ache & unthinkable loss in recent times however he by no means misplaced his preventing spirit and fast wit,” the assertion learn on the social media platform.
Kinky Friedman in 1986. Houston Chronicle by way of Getty Pictures
Kinky Friedman in 2010 Getty Pictures
“Kinky will reside on as his books are learn and his songs are sung,” the message concluded.
Per the New York Instances, Friedman’s shut good friend, author Larry Sloman, stated the trigger was issues of Parkinson’s illness.
Friedman died on June 27, 2024. X/FriedmanKinky
His good friend Kent Perkins confirmed that Friedman died at residence in his sleep Thursday.
“He leaves a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, mercy, tolerance, servitude, and knowledge,” Perkins wrote on Fb. “He was well-known as a best-selling creator, humorist, songwriter, and singer. However we, his shut family and friends, knew him as a rescuer of undesirable canine and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic, soft-spoken man who devoted a lot of his life to serving others much less lucky.”
Perkins added, “I discovered rather a lot from Kinky. I by no means met a extra sincere, witty, selfless, beneficiant, or honest individual than Richard Samet ‘Kinky’ Friedman.”
Friedman based an animal rescue referred to as Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch in 1998.
Friedman on the 2022 SXSW Convention and Competition Getty Pictures for The Mojo Manifesto
“He died peacefully. He smoked a cigar, went to mattress and by no means awakened,” Perkins added to The Related Press. “He was the final free individual on earth. He had an irreverence about him.”
Friedman, whose actual title was Richard Friedman, grew up in Texas and fashioned his first band, King Arthur & the Carrots, when he was a pupil on the College of Texas.
He fashioned his second band, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, in 1973.
Friedman in 1974 Michael Ochs Archives
The identical yr, Friedman dropped his first solo album, “Offered American,” and have become a profitable nation and western singer.
He continued releasing music till 2018.
A few of his best-known songs included “Offered American,” “Honky City Heroes,” “Journey ’em Jewboy,” “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “The Ballad of Charles Whitman.”
Friedman in 1973 Houston Chronicle by way of Getty Pictures
He toured with Bob Dylan from 1975 to 1976.
Friedman claimed that he was the primary Jewish individual to take the stage on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
After his music profession peaked, Friedman grew to become a heavy cocaine person within the Eighties. “It was not the spotlight of my life,” he advised Rolling Stone in 2018.
Friedman in 1974 Michael Ochs Archives
In 2006, he ran for governor of Texas on the impartial ticket.
Considered one of his marketing campaign slogans was “My Governor Is a Jewish Cowboy.”
He acquired 12% of the vote, shedding to Rick Perry.
“Kinky Friedman was a bigger than life Texas icon and might be remembered as one of the vital fascinating personalities in Texas politics,” Perry, 74, stated in an announcement to The Texas Tribune on Thursday. “Kinky’s run for governor in 2006 made an in any other case grueling marketing campaign cycle really enjoyable. Could he relaxation simple after a life lived to the fullest.”
Friedman operating for governor of Texas in 2006 Tribune Information Service by way of Getty Pictures
In 2014, Friedman stated that he had his “final will and testomony labored out.” He quipped: “After I die, I’m going to be cremated and the ashes are to be thrown in Rick Perry’s hair.”
He seemed again on the election in his 2018 interview with Rolling Stone.
“All of my f–king brains; it’s proper there … If I had gotten a f–king talking-action determine to each single Texan, I might have gained the election,” stated Friedman. “We most likely would have had a scandal-ridden administration. Let’s face it.”
Friedman in 1974 Michael Ochs Archives
Along with being a well-known musician, Friedman was additionally an creator. He wrote detective novels — similar to “Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola” and “God Bless John Wayne” — and was a columnist at Texas Month-to-month within the 2000s.
His writing profession was spurred by the New York Put up’s protection of his encounter with a mugger, based on a good friend.
Funeral providers are pending, per Perkins.