Country music icon David Allan Coe, known for his unapologetically raw style and hits like "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" and "The Ride," has passed away at the age of 86.
Coe died on Wednesday, according to his wife, Kimberly, who told Rolling Stone, "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." She added that he was "one of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time."
A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
A defining figure of the outlaw country movement, Coe cultivated a rebellious image rooted in his past. He spent nearly two decades in correctional facilities, where he discovered his love for music. Though he claimed to have killed a man while incarcerated, that story is widely considered a fabricated part of his persona.
Born in Ohio, Coe released his debut album, "Penitentiary Blues," in 1970. His breakthrough came with 1975's "You Never Even Called Me by My Name," often called the "perfect country and western song." He followed up with "Longhaired Redneck" in 1976 and wrote Johnny Paycheck's anthem "Take This Job and Shove It" in 1977.
In the 1980s, Coe scored further success with the album "Castles in the Sand" and the Top 10 single "The Ride." His 1984 track "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile" peaked at No. 2 on the charts. His last major studio album was 2006's "Rebel Meets Rebel."
Coe's career was also marked by controversy. He used racial slurs and stereotypes in some songs, claiming they were parodies, and faced criticism for displaying the Confederate flag. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was ordered to pay nearly $1 million in back taxes, receiving three years of probation.
He was married six times and had five children. He married Kimberly in 2010.
David Allan Coe leaves behind a complex legacy as a fearless, if polarizing, force in country music.