Photo: Getty ImagesDavid Allan Coe, an outlaw country trailblazer who released dozens of albums throughout his career, has died. He was 86.
Coe released his debut studio record in 1970. Known for blending elements of blues and rock into his country music, Coe went on to become known for “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” “The Ride,” “Longhaired Redneck,” “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” “Willie, Waylon and Me,” “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Take This Job and Shove It,” “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” and many other songs throughout his decades-spanning career.
Kimberly Hastings Coe, who married the singer-songwriter in 2010, confirmed her husband’s passing to Rolling Stone on Wednesday (April 29). She said she’ll “never forget him and I don’t want anyone else to ever forget him either.” A representative for Coe also confirmed the death to PEOPLE, noting that Coe died shortly after 5 p.m. The singer-songwriter’s cause of death has not been publicly confirmed as of publication time on Thursday (April 30). The representative said, “David was a Country Music treasure and loved his fans. Most importantly, he was a true outlaw and A great singer, songwriter, and performer.”
Coe was born on September 6, 1939 in Akron, Ohio. The outlaw country pioneer’s debut album was Penitentiary Blues (1970), which included songs he wrote while serving time in an Ohio prison. He told the Associated Press in the 1980s that he’d “have never made it through prison without my music.” Coe navigated legal issues and controversy throughout his career (notably, because of lyrics that included racial stereotypes and his use of Confederate flag imagery; however, Coe said he was not racist). Still, the singer-songwriter went on to release more than 40 projects over the years, including studio records and live albums. He collaborated with Pantera, Hank Williams III, George Jones, Toby Keith and others, and released songs later covered by Tanya Tucker, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Chris Stapleton, Zac Brown Band and more.
Coe is survived by his wife and five children from previous relationships, Shelli, Tyler, Tanya, Shyanne and Carson.