Gina Heslop
The country music world is mourning the loss of a beloved figure, Richard “Kinky” Friedman, who passed away at the age of 79 in late June 2024.
He died at his home, Echo Hill Ranch in Medina, Texas, surrounded by his family and close friends. The news of his passing was shared on June 27 through a heartfelt social media post, which described his final moments as peaceful.
The post read, “He stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill, surrounded by those he held dear.” Despite facing many challenges, including a battle with Parkinson’s disease, Kinky never lost his sense of humor or his strong will.
Kinky Friedman was not only known for his music but also for his colorful personality and diverse career. He first gained fame in the early 1970s as the frontman for the satirical country band Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys.
The band became famous for its unique, humorous songs like “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed.”
Even though the band didn’t last long, Kinky continued his music career, releasing a self-titled solo album in 1974 and touring with Bob Dylan for two years. Throughout his career, Kinky released 18 albums, with his last one, Circus of Life, coming out in 2018.
Beyond music, Kinky was known for his ventures into politics. In 2006, he ran for governor of Texas, challenging incumbent Ricky Perry. Although he didn’t win and finished in fourth place, his campaign attracted a lot of media attention.
He later ran for the Democratic nomination for agriculture commissioner in 2010 and 2014, though he wasn’t successful in those races either.
Kinky’s longtime friend, Clive Hattersley, shared fond memories of him, describing him as an exceptional communicator who could make people laugh or cry with his words.
Hattersley also mentioned Kinky’s long battle with Parkinson’s disease, which affected him in his later years but never took away his fighting spirit.
Kinky Friedman’s passing is a great loss to the country music community, where he left a lasting impact with his unique style, humor, and powerful presence. Rest in peace, Kinky.
