Austin, Texas — Singer, songwriter, satirist and novelist Kinky Friedman, who fronted the alt-country band Texas Jewboys, toured with Bob Dylan, sang with Willie Nelson and was involved in politics with campaigns for Texas governor and other statewide offices, has died.
Friedman, 79, died Thursday at his family’s Texas ranch near San Antonio, close friend Kent Perkins told The Associated Press. Friedman had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for several 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, when they both signed record and film contracts with Columbia.
“We were the only two people in tuxedos and cowboy hats. Two Texans gravitating toward each other.” Perkins said. “He was the last free person on earth… He had an irreverence. He was a fearless writer.”
Often called “The Kinkster” and sporting sideburns, a thick mustache and a cowboy hat, Friedman gained a cult following and reputation as a provocateur throughout his career across musical and literary genres.
In the 1970s, his satirical country band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys wrote songs with titles like “They Don’t Make Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Put Your Cookies in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed.” Friedman participated in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue tour in 1976.
In the 1980s, Friedman wrote detective novels that often included a version of himself, and he wrote a column for Texas Monthly magazine in the 2000s.
Friedman’s career in politics brought his brand of irreverence to the serious world of public policy. In 2006, Friedman ran for governor as an independent in a five-candidate race that included incumbent Republican Rick Perry. Friedman launched his campaign against the backdrop of the Alamo.
“We are gypsies on a pirate ship and we are setting sail for the Governor’s Mansion,” Friedman said at the campaign launch. “I am calling for the unconditional surrender of Rick Perry.”
Some saw the campaign as another Friedman joke, but he insisted it was serious. His platform called for the legalization of medical marijuana, increased spending on public education through casino gambling and supported same-sex marriage. Campaign slogans included “How hard could it be?” and “He’s not eccentric, he’s my governor.”
“Humor is what I use to tilt at political windmills, as always,” Friedman said.
Perry was re-elected in 2006 and Friedman finished last. However, he did not give up on politics and ran unsuccessfully for state agriculture commissioner as a Democrat in 2010 and 2014.
Born in Chicago, Richard Samet Friedman grew up in Texas. The family ranch in Echo Hill, where Friedman died, operated a camp for children of parents killed serving in the military.
Funeral services were pending, Perkins said.
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
