Kinky Friedman, satirical Texas country music legend and writer, dies at 79

Satirical singer-songwriter and writer Richard Samet "Kinky" Friedman has died at the age of 79.

According to a statement posted to Friedman's X account on Thursday, June 27, the one-time gubernatorial candidate "stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends."

The statement continued, "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."

Friedman, who ran for governor against former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2006 and supported things like legalizing marijuana and same-sex marriage, had long lived at his Echo Hill Ranch on the outskirts of San Antonio in Medina, Texas. The Chicago native moved to Texas with his family as a baby and they eventually settled in Medina.

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Shortly after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in psychology in 1966, Friedman formed a satirical country band in the early 1970s called Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys. Together, the band wrote songs like "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed," "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore," and "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Services to You."

The band went on to tape an Austin City Limits show for its first season on Nov. 11, 1975. However, according to the Austin Chronicle , the episode never aired as it was deemed too raunchy for public viewing.

Aside from music and politics, Friedman previously served as a columnist for Texas Monthly and penned several books, such as "Kinky Friedman's Guide to Texas Etiquette: Or How to Get to Heaven or Hell Without Going Through Dallas-Fort Worth."

Following the news of Friedman's passing, his longtime friend Kent Perkins posted a lengthy statement on Facebook about the legacy Friedman will leave behind.

"He was famous as a best-selling author, humorist, songwriter, and singer. But we, his close friends and family, knew him as a rescuer of unwanted dogs and cats, a compassionate, philanthropic, soft-spoken man who devoted much of his life to serving others less fortunate," wrote Perkins.