On Thursday, the news broke that Kinky Friedman, a beloved musician and author, had passed away at his cherished Echo Hill ranch, surrounded by loved ones. Despite facing immense pain and loss in recent years, Kinky’s indomitable spirit and quick wit never faltered.
As his fans mourn the loss of this extraordinary individual, they take comfort in knowing that his legacy will endure through his books and songs. Born John Richard Friedman, Kinky attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he first embarked on his musical journey with his initial band, King Arthur & the Carrots, in the 1960s.
Later, he formed Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1974. His music career spanned decades, including a notable tour with Bob Dylan and a solo world tour in 2011. Kinky released 18 albums, with his most recent, Circus of Life, dropping in 2018.
When his music career slowed in the 1980s, Kinky turned to writing, penning detective novels featuring a fictionalized version of himself as a wisecracking, crime-fighting New Yorker with a penchant for jokes, advice, and charm. His writing career also included a regular column for Texas Monthly from 2001 to 2005 and sporadically thereafter.
Kinky’s political aspirations saw him run for governor of Texas as an independent candidate in 2006 and, earlier, for Justice of the Peace in Kerrville, Texas, in 1986. Though he may be gone, Kinky Friedman’s impact on the worlds of music and literature will be felt for years to come. His fighting spirit and quick wit will continue to inspire and entertain through his body of work.
