Outlaw country singer David Allan Coe dies aged 86

David Allan Coe has passed away aged 86. The outlaw country singer is said to have died in his wife's arms on Wednesday, April 29.

Born in Akron, Ohio, on September 6, 1939, Coe lived a troubled youth, being sent to a reform school when he was nine and spending most of the following two decades of his life in correctional facilities.

His interest in music began while he was incarcerated, as that was where he was allegedly inmates with Screamin' Jay Hawkins, who supposedly encouraged him to pursue music.

After his release, Coe headed to Nashville, Tennessee, where he then began to busk on the street. There, he caught the attention of Plantation Records, with whom he released his debut album Penitentiary Blues in 1970.

The American singer began his career by releasing blues music, but transitioned into the country genre, becoming a major part of the outlaw country scene.

In 1974, he released his debut country album The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy.

Throughout his career, he released over 40 albums and composed tracks for other artists such as Billie Joe Spears (‘Souvenirs and California Mem'rys’) and Tanya Tucker (‘Would You Lay With Me [in a field of stone]’).

During his career, he was heavily criticised for using slurs and racial stereotypes in his lyrics and for frequently using the Confederate flag. He released two underground albums in the late 70s and early 80s that The New York Times described in 2000 as being "among the most racist, misogynistic, homophobic and obscene songs recorded by a popular songwriter."

According to The Austin Chronicle, Coe wrote a letter on his website explaining why those albums exist.

"I was a young man living with a motorcycle club...," wrote Coe. "I had given up on any commercial success and country radio wouldn't play my songs anyway... I made these albums for bikers to play at parties... Not everyone appreciates biker humour, even in music. I don't apologise for these albums, because they are very funny, but don't expect me to sing these songs at my shows!"

Coe is survived by his wife Kimberley Hastings and children.

Elsewhere, other musicians have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late songwriter.

"Losing my Buddy is hard," wrote Tanya Tucker. "He passed peacefully in his wife Kim's arms. We have a lot of history together me and DAC. He was a part of my success in this business. A big part.

"It really breaks my heart that I didn't get to say goodbye my love my heart goes out to Kim. She loved the man now if I can just get through the night thinking about all the memories and the song would you lay with me in the field of Stone if my needs were strong Would you lay with me thanks DAC. You'll always be a part of me."

 

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