MELVILLE, New York — Richard “Kinky” Friedman died last month at the age of 79. Friedman, the grandson of Russian Jewish immigrants, was raised in Texas, and formed his first band, King Arthur & the Carrots, while studying at the University of Texas in Austin. In 1973, having previously been given the nickname of Kinky because of his hair, Friedman formed a new band called Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys, performing satirical music, but also becoming part of the country rock movement of the time that included Graham Parsons and the Eagles, among others. The band toured with Bob Dylan, and became well known for songs including Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed, We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You, Ride ’Em Jewboy (a Holocaust tribute), and most famously, They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore. Friedman also wrote numerous detective novels, ran unsuccessfully for office in Texas, and wrote a column in the Texas Monthly magazine for many years. What was once written about Kinky Friedman in the Texas Monthly?
Mark D. Zimmerman is the author of a series of Jewish trivia books, under the title RASHI, RAMBAM and RAMALAMADINGDONG: A Quizbook of Jewish Trivia Facts & Fun.