Richard ‘Kinky’ Friedman, celebrated country music singer, dies at 79 after Parkinson’s battle

In late June, famous singer Richard “Kinky” Friedman died at his home in Texas. He was 79 years old. Last month, the country music scene mourned his death.

The news came in the form of a moving social media post on Thursday, June 27. Friedman died at his home in Echo Hill Ranch in Medina, surrounded by family and friends.

“With family and friends by his side, Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at Echo Hill, where he loved being,” the post said. “Kinkster never lost his fighting spirit or his quick wit, even though he went through a lot of terrible pain and loss in the past few years.”

People may remember that Friedman ran against Ricky Perry for governor in 2006. His campaign got a lot of attention from the media, but he ended up coming in fourth place.

The country singer also tried and failed to become a Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner in 2010 and 2014.
“He was a communicator,” said Clive Hattersley, a friend of many years. A unique speaker who gets their point across clearly and deeply. On stage, he could make you cry. He was funny enough to make you laugh out loud.

It was also said by Hattersley that Friedman had Parkinson’s disease.

Around the beginning of the 1970s, Friedman put together the spoof country band Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys. He wrote songs like “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed.”

Since the collaboration didn’t last long, Kinky put out a self-titled record in 1974 before going on a two-year tour with Bob Dylan.

The Texas Monthly said this about Richard “Kinky” Friedman: “He was a Texas icon who put his heart into his songs, fiction, and campaign speeches.”

Don Burton wrote this on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
The singer put out a total of 18 records during the course of his successful career. The last thing he put out was Circus of Life in 2018.

Peace out, Richard Friedman.