Outlaw country legend David Allan Coe has died at 86, bringing an end to one of the most controversial and unforgettable careers in country music.
His wife, Kimberly Coe, confirmed that he passed away on April 29 at around 5:08 p.m. A cause of death has not yet been released.
In an emotional statement, she reflected on their years together.
“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 said.
Coe rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the outlaw country movement, building a loyal fanbase with hits like “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” and “Longhaired Redneck.” He continued that success into the 1980s with songs like “The Ride” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” cementing his place in country music history.
A representative also confirmed his passing, calling him “a country music treasure” and praising him as a true outlaw and a gifted performer.
But Coe’s legacy has long been complicated.
Throughout his career, he faced heavy criticism over lyrics that included slurs and offensive stereotypes. In the 1970s and 1980s, he released underground albums that contained explicit and highly controversial material, which were later widely bootlegged before eventually being sold through his website in 2000 without his name attached.
Critics, including The New York Times, described those recordings as among the most offensive ever released by a popular songwriter. Coe pushed back strongly against those claims, insisting he had been mischaracterized and denied being racist.
In past interviews, he pointed to his personal relationships and experiences as proof that the accusations didn’t reflect who he was.
Despite the backlash, Coe maintained a devoted following and remained a defining figure of the outlaw country era—known as much for his rebellious persona as for his music.