The world is grieving the loss of beloved country singer Richard “Kinky” Friedman, who passed away today at the age of 79 at his home in Texas. Fans were left heartbroken upon hearing the news, which was shared in an emotional post on Thursday.
“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill, surrounded by family and friends,” the post read. “Despite enduring tremendous pain and unthinkable loss in recent years, Kinkster never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit.”
While the specific date of his passing was not mentioned, it is important to note that Kinky had a noteworthy music career along with a successful foray into politics. In 2006, he ran for governor of Texas as an independent candidate, securing 12% of the vote and finishing in fourth place out of six candidates.
A Journey in Music
Kinky’s musical journey began during his time at the University of Texas at Austin when he formed his first band called King Arthur & the Carrots. Their release of the record “Schwinn 24/Beach Party Boo Boo” in 1966 humorously poked fun at surf music, showcasing Kinky’s unique sense of wit.
Following the disbandment of King Arthur & the Carrots, Richard formed his second band, Ginky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, in 1973. However, this collaboration was short-lived, and Kinky released his self-titled solo album in 1974.
Notably, Kinky embarked on a two-year tour with music legend Bob Dylan and made a memorable appearance as a musical guest on Season 2 of Saturday Night Live. In 2011, he successfully toured the world as the headline act. Throughout his music career, he released a total of 18 albums, with his most recent one, “Circus of Life,” coming out in 2018.
Beyond Music
Although Richard’s music career peaked in the 1980s, he found a new passion in writing. He focused primarily on detective novels where he created fictionalized versions of himself, incorporating lyrics from his songs into his stories. These novels transported readers to New York City, where the character fought crime while offering jokes, advice, recipes, and charm. In his mind, he was a modern-day Sherlock Holmes.
It is worth mentioning that Kinky Friedman did not appear as a character in two of his books, namely, “Kill Two Birds and Get Stoned” and “The Christmas Pig.” Furthermore, from 2001 to 2005, he had a regular column in Texas Monthly, which he paused during his gubernatorial run in 2006. However, his column was later brought back on a bi-monthly basis, showcasing his passion for storytelling and humor.
In 1986, Richard ran as a Republican for Justice of the Peace in Kerrville, Texas, but unfortunately, he did not secure the position. This attempt at public service occurred prior to his successful run for Governor.
Richard “Kinky” Friedman will forever be remembered for his exceptional talent as a country singer and his knack for storytelling. His music will continue to be cherished, and his books will be a testament to his wit and creativity.