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Country Music Outlaw David Allan Coe Dies At Age 86
David Allan Coe, the controversial outlaw country musician known for hits including “The Ride,” “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” and “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” passed away at 86.
Born in Akron, Ohio in 1939, Coe began songwriting in 1960s Nashville for established performers.
His breakthrough came when Tanya Tucker’s version of his composition “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” topped country charts in 1973.
Columbia Records signed him afterward, leading to his 1974 debut “The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy.”
His 1977 song “Take This Job and Shove It,” performed by Johnny Paycheck, reached number one.
Coe’s career included controversy through his “X-Rated” albums, containing offensive content.
Legal issues emerged in 2015 when he pleaded guilty to tax obstruction, receiving three years’ probation and nearly $1 million in IRS payments.
