Kinky Friedman, who was recognised for his humorous and frequently confrontational manner, died at age 79. According to a social media post, “Kinky Friedman stood on a rainbow at his favourite Echo Hill, surrounded by family and friends. Kinkster suffered immense agony and unimaginable loss in recent years, yet he never lost his fighting spirit or quick wit. Kinky’s legacy will endure as his books and songs are read and sung.
Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman developed a cult following for his own spin on country and Western music. He released multiple albums, beginning with “Sold American” in 1973, which established the framework for his career. Known as the “governor of the heart of Texas,” he even toured with Bob Dylan during the “Rolling Thunder Revue” and became the “first full-blooded Jew” to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Aside from his musical endeavours, Friedman was an avid writer. He published detective novels and served as a columnist for Texas Monthly. He also entered politics, running for Governor of Texas in 2006 with the campaign slogan “My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy,” and receiving 12.6 percent of the vote among six candidates.
Friedman was born in Chicago and raised in Texas, and he attended the University of Texas in Austin to study psychology. His love of music prompted him to form King Arthur & the Carrots, and then Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. He characterised the latter as a “country band with a social conscience, a demented love child of Lenny Bruce and Bob Wills.”
When reflecting on his life, Friedman once wrote: “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.”
