Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Entertainment
Erum Salam

Kinky Friedman, country singer known as ‘Jewish cowboy’, dies aged 79

a middle-aged white man with a mustache and chin hair wearing a black cowboy hat smokes a cigar
Kinky Friedman campaigns for governor in Austin, Texas, on 15 December 2005. Photograph: Reuters

American country singer-songwriter, author and aspirational politician Kinky Friedman, known as the “Jewish cowboy”, died on Wednesday at the age of 79, his estate announced.

“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends,” Friedman’s official account posted on X on Thursday. “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.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.