Outlaw country icon David Allan Coe has died at the age of 86.
Coe passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with the news confirmed by his wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe. A cause of death has not been publicly released.
Born in Akron, Ohio in 1939, Coe lived a turbulent early life that included time in reform schools and prison, where he began writing songs. After his release, he moved to Nashville and became a defining voice in the outlaw country movement.
He became widely known for songs like “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” “The Ride,” and “Longhaired Redneck,” and also wrote Take This Job and Shove It, which became a hit for Johnny Paycheck.
Though he never fully fit into Nashville’s mainstream, Coe built a loyal following with his raw songwriting and rebellious style, releasing more than 40 albums over his career.
Coe is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, along with his children, including Tyler Mahan Coe and Tanya Coe.
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