DALLAS — Texas icon Kinky Friedman, the singer, songwriter, satirist, crime novelist and erstwhile political candidate, has died at age 79.
His official X account confirmed his death on Thursday, June 27: “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 death was also confirmed by his friend Kent Perkins on Facebook.
Born Richard Samet Friedman in Chicago, Friedman and his family moved to Texas at a young age. He first burst into the public consciousness in the early 1970s with his band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. The band blended a country sound with social commentary, and often satire, in their lyrics with songs like “They Ain’t Makin Jews Like Jesus Anymore.” The band’s sophomore album "Kinky Friedman" made it onto the Billboard charts in 1975.
Friedman later pivoted to writing detective novels, often featuring a fictionalized version of himself as the protagonist. His first mystery, "Greenwich Killing Time," was released in 1986. He went on to write dozens of books, eventually moving into other genres and also nonfiction in the early 2000s.
Friedman was also a prominent candidate in the 2006 Texas gubernatorial election, running as an independent against incumbent Rick Perry. He was often out on the campaign trail with his signature look, a cowboy hat and a cigar in hand. He eventually finished fourth in the race, garnering more than 500,000 votes.
Four years later, Friedman ran for state office again, losing the Democratic primary for agricultural commissioner. His political career was known for then-outlandish stances in favor of marijuana legalization and casino gambling.
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