Country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe has died at 86, his representative confirmed, calling him a “true outlaw” and “great singer, songwriter and performer.” He died Wednesday afternoon, People reported. Coe rose to prominence in the 1970s outlaw country movement and was known for songs including “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” and “Longhaired Redneck.” He also wrote major hits for others, including Tanya Tucker’s “Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)” and Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It.” Throughout his career, Coe remained a deeply controversial figure, drawing sustained criticism for lyrics that included racial slurs and stereotypes, as well as his use of Confederate imagery. Two underground albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s were particularly condemned for explicit and offensive content. Coe rejected accusations of racism, arguing in later interviews that his work had been mischaracterized. Born in Ohio, he spent much of his youth in correctional facilities before pursuing music in Nashville. Over a decades-long career, he released more than 40 albums.
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