Singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman died Wednesday at the age of 79.
The singer, comedian and former gubernatorial candidate died at his ranch near Austin, Texas.
In a post on his social media pages, a statement read: “Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow in his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends.
‘Kinkster endured tremendous pain and unthinkable loss over the years, but he never lost his fighting spirit and his wit. Kinky will live on, as his books will be read and his songs will be sung.’
Friedman ran for governor of Texas against incumbent Rick Perry in 2006 and, despite a colorful campaign, came fourth in the race.
He was known for his larger-than-life personality and his signature look of curly hair peeking out from under a cowboy hat and a cigar in his hand.
The singer, comedian and former gubernatorial candidate died at his ranch near Austin, Texas.
Friedman ran for governor of Texas against incumbent Rick Perry in 2006 and, despite a colorful campaign, came in fourth in the race, seen here during the race.
Friedman poses with four unidentified members of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders backstage during the Farm Aid benefit concert at Texas Stadium, Dallas, Texas, March 14, 1992
His close friend Kent Perkins shared a photo of Friedman talking on the phone and holding a cigar on his social media account and paid tribute to the star.
Perkins wrote: “My great friend of half a century, Kinky Friedman, peacefully slipped home while I was sleeping early this morning.
‘He leaves a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, mercy, tolerance, servitude and wisdom.
‘He was famous as a best-selling author, comedian, composer and singer. But we, his family and close friends, knew him as a savior of unwanted dogs and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic, soft-spoken man who dedicated much of his life to serving those less fortunate.
‘I learned a lot from Kinky. I have never met a more honest, witty, selfless, generous and sincere person than Richard Samet ‘Kinky’ Friedman.
‘I’m sure that somewhere in heaven there is a quiet corner with a large armchair, a bright floor lamp, a large stack of biographical books and a few old dogs wagging their tails at the faint smell of cigarette smoke. Rest in peace, my friend.’
Friedman, whose real name is Richard Samet Friedman, was born in Chicago and raised in Texas, where he formed his first band King Arthur & the Carrots as a student.
In 1973 he formed his second band, Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys, which produced his first album, ‘Solid American’.
Friedman, whose real name is Richard Samet Friedman, was born in Chicago and raised in Texas.
Friedman attends the premiere of ‘The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon’ during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Stateside Theater on March 16, 2022 in Austin, Texas
Friedman wipes away sweat as he delivers a speech on the UT campus Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005
He would continue to release music until 2018, with some of his best-known hits including ‘They Aint’ Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore’ and ‘Ride ’em Jewboy’.
In early 1976 he also joined Bob Dylan on the second leg of the legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tour.
During the 1980s, he spent much of his time in New York City and developed a strong addiction to cocaine, he said. Rolling Stone.
After this period, he stopped writing songs altogether and reinvented himself as a mystery novel author.
The cause of the star’s death has not yet been revealed, but his band member and longtime friend Little Jewford told the Times that he had been ill in recent months.
Friend Cleve Hattersley said in an interview with the Texas Tribune Friedman had Parkinson’s disease.
He told the outlet: ‘He was a communicator. An unusual communicator, but very direct and moving.
‘He could make you cry on stage. He could make you roll on the floor laughing.
In politics, he sought to run for statewide office in Texas and pushed policies that included the legalization of marijuana and casino gambling.
During his career, he also spoke out in favor of same-sex marriage saying, “I support gay marriage because I believe they have the right to be as miserable as the rest of us.”
