A close friend to Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, Friedman also wrote several novels and ran for Texas governor in 2006

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.”