# David Allan Coe, Outlaw Country Rebel Behind “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” Dies at 86
Country music has lost one of its most unconventional, controversial, and unforgettable characters.
David Allan Coe, the singer-songwriter whose rough-edged voice, rebellious personality, extraordinary life story, and unmistakable songs helped define the outlaw country movement, has died at the age of 86.
Coe died on April 29, 2026, at a hospital, according to his representative. His wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone and remembered him as one of the finest singers and songwriters of his generation. The cause of death was not disclosed.
For some listeners, he will forever be the voice behind “You Never Even Called Me by My Name.”
For others, he will be remembered as the songwriter behind Johnny Paycheck’s defiant working-class anthem “Take This Job and Shove It,” or as the performer who recorded “The Ride,” “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” and other songs that became part of the fabric of country music.
