David Allan Coe, the outlaw country singer known for hits like ‘You Never Even Called Me By My Name,’ has died at the age of 86.
The singer’s death was confirmed by David Wade, his booking agent, who revealed he died in a hospital on Wednesday.
The cause of death was however not revealed.
In a statement, Kimberly Hastings Coe, the singer’s wife, praised his talent, describing him as the “best singer, songwriter, and performer of our time”.
She also spoke about their personal bond, describing him as “my confidant”, while expressing her desire to keep his memory alive.
“One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time [and] never to be forgotten,” Kimberley said.
“My husband, my friend, my confidant and my life for many years. I’ll never forget him, and I don’t want anyone else to ever forget him either.”
, born in Akron, Ohio, began his music career after spending part of his youth in reformatories and serving time in an Ohio prison from 1963 to 1967 for possession of burglary tools.
He initially performed in the blues genre before transitioning to country music, where he became a prominent figure in the 1970s outlaw country movement.
The singer was known for his confrontational style and songs such as ‘You Never Even Called Me By My Name,’ ‘Longhaired Redneck,’ ‘The Ride,’ ‘Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,’ and ‘She Used to Love Me a Lot’.
He recorded his debut album, ‘Penitentiary Blues’, using songs he wrote while in prison.
He later released two R-rated albums, 1978’s ‘Nothing Sacred’ and 1982’s ‘Underground Album,’ which were distributed through biker magazines. The projects drew criticism for containing racist, homophobic, and sexually explicit content.
Throughout his career, he was known for his rebellious attitude, wild image, and unconventional lifestyle, which earned him a loyal fan base but limited his mainstream success.
Coe released more than 40 studio albums over the course of his career.
He tied the knot six times and married his sixth wife Hastings in 2010. He is survived by children — Tyler, Tanya, Shyanne, and Carson — with his ex-wife, Jody Lynn Coe. He also has a daughter Shelli.
