Kinky Friedman, satirical musician and writer, dies at 79
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT "He never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit."

Kinky Friedman, the singular Texas-based musician, author, and humorist, died Thursday at his ranch near Austin. He was 79.

A statement from his team posted on social media said, "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."

A friend of Friedman's, the writer Larry Sloman, told the New York Times that Friedman died of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

The man born Richard Samet Friedman was an outrageous celebrity known for the satirical country band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, which he formed in the '70s, and for his subversive, often novelty country music albums, such as 1976's Lasso from El Paso and 2005's They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore.

He performed everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to Austin City Limits (although the TV episode went unaired because of what his official bio calls "pre-cancel culture sensibilities") to a 1976 episode of Saturday Night Live, where he was told he couldn't sing a certain song, so he performed "Dear Abbie," for his "fugitive friend" Abbie Hoffman.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Friedman's family moved to Texas just after he was born, and he went on to produce a body of work that included songs such as "A--hole from El Paso" and "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You." His track "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed" angered the feminist movement.

Along the way, he toured with Bob Dylan, and a 2007 album paying tribute to Friedman's songs included the voices of Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, and other country greats. Friedman also wrote 18 books, including novels and essays.

Related articles
Jenni Rivera's posthumous Walk of Fame star vandalized less than 2 weeks after installation
Music
Jenni Rivera's posthumous Walk of Fame star vandalized less than 2 weeks after installation
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Will Smith, still jiggy with it, performs new song at the 2024 BET Awards
Music
Will Smith, still jiggy with it, performs new song at the 2024 BET Awards
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Coldplay bring Michael J. Fox on stage to play guitar in surprise appearance at Glastonbury music festival
Music
Coldplay bring Michael J. Fox on stage to play guitar in surprise appearance at Glastonbury music festival
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Kinky Friedman, satirical musician and writer, dies at 79
Music
Kinky Friedman, satirical musician and writer, dies at 79
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Bad Bunny concert target of planned mass shooting in Atlanta, federal indictment reveals
Music
Bad Bunny concert target of planned mass shooting in Atlanta, federal indictment reveals
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Cowboy CarterDarius Rucker praises Beyoncé bringing 'so many eyes' to country music with
Music
Cowboy CarterDarius Rucker praises Beyoncé bringing 'so many eyes' to country music with
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Joe Alwyn opens up about Taylor Swift breakup for the first time: 'That is a hard thing to navigate'
Music
Joe Alwyn opens up about Taylor Swift breakup for the first time: 'That is a hard thing to navigate'
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Irish rappers Kneecap on drugs, death threats, and playing themselves (sort of) in their new movie (exclusive)
Music
Irish rappers Kneecap on drugs, death threats, and playing themselves (sort of) in their new movie (exclusive)
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT
Kid Cudi breaks his foot after jumping off Coachella stage
Music
Kid Cudi breaks his foot after jumping off Coachella stage
Published on December 01, 2025 EDT