Kinky Friedman Dies: Musician, Writer, Satirist & Former TX Gubernatorial Candidate Was 79
Kinky Friedman Getty
Kinky Friedman — the Texas-raised musician, writer, satirist, dog lover, gubernatorial candidate and overall provocateur — died after a battle with Parkinson’s on Thursday at his Echo Hill Ranch in TX, according to a post on his X account. He was 79.
To say Friedman was larger-than-life was an understatement. His quick wit was as ubiquitous as his cowboy hat and cigar. He was often more colorful than his famous friends such as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Larry McMurtry and Billy Bob Thornton.
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His persona made him a lively guest on late night shows such as The Late Show With David Letterman and The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno. He also had parts in several films, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.
Friedman wrote detective novels — many of them featuring a character styled after himself — as well as a column for Texas Monthly.
In music, Friedman never had a hit record, but the title track from his 1973 debut album Sold American cracked the Top 70 of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and his eponymous sophomore LP dented the Billboard 200 the following year. In 1976, he joined the second leg of Bob Dylan’s storied Rolling Thunder Revue Tour alongside Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Mick Ronson and others.
Friedman continued to release albums for various labels into the 2010s, including a few with his cheekily titled group Kinky Friedman & The Texas Jewboys.
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In politics, Friedman ran for governor as an independent against Rick Perry in 2006. Despite heavy media attention, Friedman finished fourth. He also ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for agriculture commissioner in 2010 and in 2014.
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. pic.twitter.com/sIXnoglSby
— Kinky Friedman (@FriedmanKinky) June 27, 2024
He founded Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch to care for stray, abused and aging animals. Through Friedman’s efforts, more than 1,000 dogs were reportedly saved from euthanasia.
In 1993, Friedman wrote an uncharacteristically-serious eulogy for his fourteen year old cat Cuddles, who featured in his books, which ended in a reflection on the afterlife.
“They say when you die and go to heaven all the dogs and cats you’ve ever had in your life come running to meet you. Until that day, rest in peace, Cuddles.”
“They say when you die and go to heaven all the dogs and cats you've ever had in your life come running to meet you. Until that day, rest in peace, Cuddles.” pic.twitter.com/xGUCis2iMC
— Kinky Friedman (@FriedmanKinky) June 27, 2024