Kinky Friedman, Singer & Political Candidate, Dies at 79

Kinky Friedman, the musician who once ran for governor of Texas, passed away at the age of 79. Friedman was a noted lover of cigars and had his own cigar brands.

The news of his death was shared on his Twitter account, which included a picture of him wearing a cowboy hat and holding a lit cigar. Richard Samet Friedman was born on Oct. 31, 1944, in Chicago. As a child, his family moved to the Texas Hill Country, and he went on to attend the University of Texas. While in Austin, he started his first band and by 1973, Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys were formed. Friedman performed country rock, often satirical music that occasionally led to protests and other disruptions. For example, he became the first artist to record an episode of Austin City Limits that never aired.

His music also earned him success, including multiple tours with Bob Dylan, an appearance on Saturday Night Live and a spot at the Grand Ole Opry.

Often seen smoking a cigar, he had his own cigar company, Kinky Friedman Cigars. Those cigars were produced by Habana Cuba Cigar Co., the parent company of Oliveros, and Friedman attended events like the annual IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, now known as the PCA Convention & Trade Show. In 2013, he announced that Kinky Friedman Cigars was shutting down, though less than a year later, Havana Alley Cigar Shop & Lounge of Galveston worked with Friedman for the Kinky Friedman Cigars Signature Series, which was produced at Tabacalera Carreras S.A. in Nicaragua.

In 2006, he ran for governor of Texas as an independent candidate. His campaign focused on the decriminalization of marijuana, the legalization of gambling and gay marriage, and the increase in the number of Texas National Guard troops at the Mexican border. He also promised to oppose smoking bans and other anti-cigar legislation. He received nearly 550,000 votes, finishing fourth out of six candidates.