Singer and Songwriter Kinky Friedman Dead at 79

Singer and Songwriter Kinky Friedman Dead at 79
Kinky Friedman attends "The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon" Premiere during 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Stateside Theater in Austin on March 16, 2022. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW
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AUSTIN, Texas—Singer, songwriter, satirist, and novelist Kinky Friedman, who led the alt-country band Texas Jewboys, toured with Bob Dylan, sang with Willie Nelson, and dabbled in politics with campaigns for Texas governor and other statewide offices, has died.

Mr. Friedman, 79, died Thursday at his family’s Texas ranch near San Antonio, close friend Kent Perkins told The Associated Press. Mr. Friedman had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for several years, Mr. Perkins said.