Born 82 Years Ago Today in Chicago, the Outlaw Country Rebel Who Parodied Merle Haggard and Later Ran for Texas Governor
Kinky Friedman, the singer, songwriter, novelist and political candidate, was born in Chicago on 1 November 1944. Known for provocative humour and social satire, he became a distinctive figure in country music and Texas public life.
Friedman formed Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys in 1973 and released his debut album, *Sold American*, that year. He toured with Bob Dylan, performed at the Grand Ole Opry and recorded nearly two dozen albums; later, he wrote detective novels, became a columnist and ran unsuccessfully for Texas governor in 2006. He died aged 79 in 2024 from Parkinson’s disease.
In short
- Kinky Friedman was born 82 years ago in Chicago.
- His career spanned country music, novels and politics.
- He died in 2024, aged 79.
Explained simply
Kinky Friedman moved between country music, comedy, crime fiction and politics. In 1973, he formed the band Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys and released Sold American, using satire to challenge country music conventions and poke fun at public figures.
He later wrote detective novels featuring a fictionalised version of himself and became a columnist. In 2006, he ran unsuccessfully for governor of Texas, where he was known as a public figure as well as a musician. Friedman died in 2024, aged 79, after living with Parkinson’s disease.