AUSTIN, Texas — Singer, songwriter, satirist and novelist Kinky Friedman has died. He fronted the alternative country band Texas Jewboys, toured with Bob Dylan, sang with Willie Nelson, and was involved in politics, campaigning for Texas governor and other state offices.
A close friend, Kent Perkins, told The Associated Press that Friedman, 79, died Thursday at his family's ranch in Texas near San Antonio. Friedman had suffered from Parkinson's disease for years, Perkins said.
“He died peacefully. He smoked a cigar, went to bed and never woke up,” said Perkins, who was working as an actor when he met Friedman at a party 50 years ago. At the time, both were signed to film contracts with Columbia Records.
“We were the only ones wearing tuxedos and cowboy hats. Two Texans attracted to each other.” Perkins said. “He was the last free man on earth… He was a rude man. He was a fearless writer.”
Frequently referred to as “Kingster,” with his refraintes (shoe hair), thick mustache, and cowboy hat, Friedman gained a cult following and a reputation as a provocateur across musical and literary genres throughout his career.
In the 1970s, his satirical country band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Juvoice wrote songs with titles such as “They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed.” Friedman participated in Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour in 1976.
Through the 1980s, Friedman wrote crime novels in which he frequently appeared, and in the 2000s he wrote a column for Texas Monthly magazine.
Friedman's political forays brought his bluster to the serious world of public policy. In 2006, Friedman ran for governor as an independent in a five-way race that included incumbent Republican Rick Perry. Friedman began his campaign with the Alamo as his backdrop.
“We are gypsies on a pirate ship. We are setting sail for the Governor’s Mansion,” Friedman said at the campaign launch. “I demand the unconditional surrender of Rick Perry.”
Some saw the campaign as another Friedman joke, but he insisted it was serious. His platform called for legalizing medical marijuana, increasing spending on public education through casino gambling, and supporting same-sex marriage. Campaign slogans included “How hard can it be?” and “He's not a pervert, he's my governor.”
“I use humor to attack the windmills of politics, as I always do,” Friedman said.
Perry was re-elected in 2006, while Friedman came in last. However, he did not give up on politics and ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic State Agriculture Committee in 2010 and 2014.
Born in Chicago, Richard Samet Friedman grew up in Texas. Friedman's family's Echo Hill farm operated a camp for children whose parents had died in the military.
Perkins said funeral arrangements are pending.