Country Singer Kinky Friedman Passes Away, Aged 79

Country singer Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman has passed away, aged 79.

In addition to being a well-known singer, Kinky was a songwriter, novelist, regular columnist for Texas Monthly and independent candidate for the 2006 Texas gubernatorial election.

He supported the legalisation of hemp and marijuana, higher pay for teachers, believed in a woman’s right to choose and supported same-sex marriage. He was anti-death penalty, thought that Texas had a problem with illegal immigration, and, if he were elected, would have turned back any smoking bans.

Friedman placed fourth in the election, gaining 12.6% of the public vote.

His death was shared in a notice via social media.

“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends,” a statement reads. “Kinkster endured tremendous pain & unthinkable loss in recent 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.”

Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends. Kinkster endured tremendous pain & unthinkable loss in recent 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. pic.twitter.com/sIXnoglSby

— Kinky Friedman (@FriedmanKinky) June 27, 2024

Friedman was born to Jewish parents in 1944 and, once he embarked on his music career, developed a reputation for being an eccentric member of the country music scene, employing satire that might have just won over his good friends Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, as well as former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Rarely was he seen without a cigar in his hand.

In 1973, Friedman formed his second band (following the surf-rock mocking band King Arthur & The Carrots), Kinky Friedman And The Texas Jewboys, which was said to be his play on the band name Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys.

The band’s best-known album, Sold American, was released in 1973. It featured their famous song, Ride ‘Em Cowboy, a tribute to the victims of the holocaust, and social commentary-laden tunes, such as We Reserve The Right To Refuse Service To You.

Friedman turned to writing detective novels in the 1980s, and from 2001 to 2005, he was a regular columnist for Texas Monthly. That column was halted once the singer and entertainer ran his gubernatorial campaign in 2006, but he returned as a bi-monthly columnist in 2008.

In a review of Friedman’s gig at The Basement in 2016, The Music’s Chris Familton declared that “They sure don't make 'em like Kinky Friedman anymore” and added, “Age catches up with all of us, but Kinky just keeps on being Kinky.”

Friedman’s most recent album, Circus Of Life, was released via Echo Hill Records in 2018.