Singer-Songwriter Kinky Friedman dies at 79, leaving a legacy of laughter and music

Singer-songwriter and satirist Kinky Friedman has died at the age of 79. His death was confirmed in a post on his X account, although the cause of death has not been revealed. The post stated, “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.”

Kinky Friedman, whose real name was Richard Friedman, grew up in Texas. He formed his first band, King Arthur & the Carrots, while at the University of Texas. In 1973, he started his second band, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. That same year, he released his first solo album, *Sold American*. Some of his most famous 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 Jewish person to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. In the 1980s, he became a heavy cocaine user but later admitted it was not a highlight of his life. 

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In 2006, Friedman ran for governor of Texas as an independent, receiving 12% of the vote but losing to Rick Perry. In 2014, he humorously remarked that his ashes should be thrown in Rick Perry’s hair after his death.

Tributes and personal life

Friedman’s friend Kent Perkins shared in a Facebook post that Kinky died in his sleep. Perkins highlighted Friedman’s legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, mercy, tolerance, servitude, and wisdom. He mentioned that Friedman was friends with a wide range of people, from presidents to homeless individuals, treating all with equal value. Friedman’s heroes included Moses, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Winston Churchill.

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Friedman’s books are translated into many languages and have a global appeal. Some of his novels featured a character named Kent Perkins, Private Investigator, and included humorous murder mysteries centered around Kinky’s fictional amateur sleuthing.

Friedman endured significant pain and loss in recent years but maintained his fighting spirit and quick wit until the end. His legacy lives on through his music and writings, cherished by fans worldwide.