Country music star Kinky Friedman dead at 79

Singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman died on Wednesday at the age of 79.

In a post to his social media pages, a statement read: '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.'

The singer, humorist and onetime Gubernatorial candidate passed away at his ranch near Austin, Texas, according to the New York Times.

Friedman had ran to be 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 persona and his signature look of curly hair poking out from under a cowboy hat and a cigar in hand.

The singer, humorist and onetime Gubernatorial candidate passed away at his ranch near Austin, Texas

Friedman had ran to be governor of Texas against incumbent Rick Perry in 2006 and despite a colorful campaign came fourth in the race, he is seen here during the race

Close friend Kent Perkins shared a picture of Friedman to his social media account and paid tribute to the star.

Perkins wrote: 'My great friend for half a century, Kinky Friedman, slipped away peacefully at home in his sleep early this morning.

'He leaves a legacy of laughter, music, loyalty, mercy, tolerance, servitude, and wisdom.

'He was famous as a best-selling author, humorist, songwriter, and singer. But we, his close friends and family, knew him as a rescuer of unwanted dogs and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic, soft-spoken man who devoted much of his life to serving others less fortunate.

'I learned a lot from Kinky. I never met a more honest, witty, selfless, generous, or sincere person than Richard Samet "Kinky" Friedman.

'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. Rest in peace, my friend.'

Friedman, real name Richard Samet Friedman, was born in Chicago and grew up in Texas where he formed his first band King Arthur & the Carrots while a student.

He went on to form his second band Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys in 1973, which spawned his first album 'Solid American'.

This is a breaking news story.