Kinky Friedman dead as pals pay tribute to 'selfless and sincere' country star

27 June 2024 , 19:16

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Kinky Friedman dead as pals pay tribute to 'selfless and sincere' country star (Image: CBS via Getty Images)

Country music star Kinky Friedman has died aged 79 as friends paid tribute to the 'selfless and sincere' musician.

The songwriter, who received the nickname 'Kinky' because of his curly hair, died at his ranch near Austin, Texas. A post shared on his social media pages announced his death, with the statement reading: "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." His close friend Kent Perkins also paid tribute to the star with a picture of him on the phone while holding a cigar. He called the songwriter a 'selfless' and 'generous' person and said: "My great friend for half a century, Kinky Friedman, slipped away peacefully at home in his sleep early this morning.

"He leaves a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, mercy, tolerance, servitude, and wisdom. He was famous as a best-selling author, humorist, songwriter, and singer. But we, his close friends and family, knew him as a rescuer of unwanted dogs and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic, soft-spoken man who devoted much of his life to serving others less fortunate."

He died at his ranch near Austin, Texas (Getty Images for SXSW)

Kent added: "I learned a lot from Kinky. I never met a more honest, witty, selfless, generous, or sincere person than Richard Samet 'Kinky' Friedman. Somewhere in heaven, I'm sure there's a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke. Rest in peace, my friend."

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The cause of his death has not yet been announced but a friend from his band, Little Jewford, previously said he had been ill in recent months. Another friend, Cleve Hattersley, said to the Texas Tribune that he had Parkinson's disease.

Kinky, real name Richard Samet Friedman, was born in Chicago before moving to Texas. He formed his first band there, King Arthur & the Carrots. Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys was his second band, formed in 1973. He is best known for his songs Ride 'em Jewboy, They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore and Sold American.

In the late '70s, he joined Bob Dylan on some of the Rolling Thunder Revue Tour. Kinky also ran to be the governor of Texas in 2006 but came fourth in the race after receiving 12.6% of the votes.

Zara Woodcock