Kinky Friedman, Country Singer, Songwriter and Politician, Dies at 79

Kinky Friedman, a country singer-songwriter, satirist and novelist who once ran for governor of Texas, has died, his friend and collaborator Cleve Hattersley confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was 79 years old.

Friedman, who called himself the “Governor of the Heart of Texas,” was known for his provocative and eccentric lyrics when he was part of the country groups King Arthur & the Carrots and later the Texas Jewboys, who wrote songs like ” Meshugganah Rag,” “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore,” “Ride ’Em Jewboy,” and “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed.”

Friedman once described the group as a “country band with a social conscience, a demented love child of Lenny Bruce and Bob Wills,” according to Variety.

Hattersley toured with Friedman for more than 40 years, with their last tour together taking place just before the pandemic hit.

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He told Fox News Digital that Friedman died of Parkinson’s disease in his childhood home, with friends and family by his side.

Hattersley said he and his wife, Sweet Mary, played a sold-out show for Friedman at his bedside just 10 days ago.

Friedman was born in Chicago in 1944, but grew up in Texas and began his musical career there in the 1970s. During his career, he also toured with Bob Dylan and performed at the Grand Ole Opry. In the 1980s, he focused more on writing crime novels such as “Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola” and “God Bless John Wayne.”

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He also ran for governor of Texas against then-Governor Rick Perry in 2006, garnering just over 12 percent of the vote in a six-way race, according to the Texas Tribune.

“Kinky Friedman walked on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends,” a message posted on his X page Thursday said. “Kinkster endured immense pain and 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 friend Kent Perkins wrote on Facebook that Friedman “leaves a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, mercy, tolerance, servitude and wisdom.”

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“He was famous as a best-selling author, comedian, songwriter and singer. But we, his close friends and family, knew him as a rescuer of abandoned dogs and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic and soft-spoken man who dedicated much of his life to serving those less fortunate,” he wrote. “He and his sister Marcie founded Echo Hill Gold Star Camp. It is currently open to children who have lost a parent in the military, police, fire or emergency medical services.”

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He added: “I learned a lot from Kinky. I have never met a more honest, spiritual, selfless, generous or sincere person than Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman. Somewhere in heaven, I am sure there is a quiet corner with a big chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books and a few old dogs wagging their tails with the faint scent of cigar smoke. Rest in peace, my friend.”