Outlaw country pioneer David Allan Coe has died. He was 86.
Coe’s widow, Kimberly, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone.
“One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time and never to be forgotten,” she told the outlet. “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.”
A representative for Coe told The Music Universe the singer died in intensive care at around 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday. A cause of death was not immediately released.
“David is a musical treasure,” the representative said, adding that Coe “appreciated all of the fans.”
Born Sept. 6, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, Coe built a reputation as a hard-edged storyteller long before he became a Nashville name. His website biography describes a turbulent youth that included time in correctional facilities.
After his release, Coe headed to Music City to chase a career on his own terms. He issued his debut album, Penitentiary Blues, in 1970.
He soon became a songwriter other artists wanted in their corner. Among his early credits was Tanya Tucker’s No. 1 hit “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” in 1973.
Coe later broke through as a solo artist, landing a top 10 hit with “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” in 1975. He kept churning out albums and sharpened his outlaw image with releases that drew as much attention for their content as for their sound, including Nothing Sacred in 1978 and Underground Album in 1982.
In the 1980s, he found another run of mainstream success with songs such as “The Ride” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile.” He also worked outside the traditional country lane, including the project Rebel Meets Rebel with members of the heavy metal band Pantera, a country-metal mashup that underscored his anything-goes persona.
Gosh dawgs, sad news to report that Outlaw Legend David Allan Coe has passed away at the age of 86 pic.twitter.com/gatLFFJvit
— Beard Vet (@Beardvet) April 30, 2026
Known as the “outlaw’s outlaw,” Coe drew controversy over the years for lyrics involving drug use and explicit content.
Rolling Stone reported that Coe faced financial trouble in the mid-2010s and pleaded guilty in 2015 to tax-related charges. He was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in back taxes.
He also dealt with health issues in recent years, including COVID-19 in 2021, according to Whiskey Riff.
Fox News Digital reported it reached out to Coe’s representatives for comment.
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