David Allan Coe, the unapologetic outlaw country singer-songwriter best known for the iconic track "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" and writing the hit "Take This Job and Shove It," has died at the age of 86.
Coe, whose raspy, rebellious voice and gritty storytelling defined a generation of country music, also penned "The Ride," a haunting tribute to the road life of fellow outlaw Hank Williams. His 1978 song "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" is famously called "the perfect country and western song" by fans, a title Coe embraced.
With a career spanning decades, Coe influenced countless artists and became a symbol of the outlaw movement, standing in contrast to the polished Nashville sound. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.
Fans and fellow musicians have poured out tributes, remembering Coe's raw talent and unapologetic authenticity. His legacy lives on through his vast catalog of songs that captured the heartaches and humor of working-class America.