David Allan Coe, Outlaw Country Singer, Dies at 86

Coe first gained recognition in Nashville as a songwriter, penning Tanya Tucker’s 1973 No. 1 country hit “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone).”

Kelly McBride Ni

Published: 4/30/2026, 3:34:38 PM EDT

David Allan Coe, Outlaw Country Singer, Dies at 86 — David Allan Coe, sporting Willie Nelson braids, performs at the Willie Nelson July 4th Picnic at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Ga., on July 4, 1983. (Rudolph Faircloth/AP Photo)

David Allan Coe, the outlaw country singer and songwriter behind hits such as “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” “The Ride,” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” died April 29 at the age of 86. Coe's distinctive style and larger-than-life persona left a significant mark on the country music scene, earning him both critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base throughout his decades-long career.

“One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time [and] never to be forgotten,” Coe’s wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, told Rolling Stone. “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 told The Music Universe that Coe died in intensive care around 5 p.m. ET and said that “David is a musical treasure,” and that even in his years of declining health, “David appreciated all of the fans.”

Born Sept. 6, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, Coe emerged as one of the most recognizable figures of the outlaw country movement. He blended gritty, hard-living storytelling with a rebellious stage presence. He was often the subject of controversy for his unconventional lyrics and imagery.

According to his official website biography, Coe spent much of his youth in correctional facilities before relocating to Nashville. There, he released his debut album, “Penitentiary Blues,” in 1970, marking the start of his professional music career.

Coe first gained recognition in Nashville as a songwriter, penning Tanya Tucker’s 1973 No. 1 country hit “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone).” He later achieved mainstream success as a performer, with “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” reaching the top 10 on the country charts in 1975 and remaining one of his most enduring songs.

In the 1980s, Coe scored additional hits with “The Ride” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” further cementing his place as a staple of country music. In 2006, he released his last album, collaborating with members of the heavy metal band Pantera on the country-metal project “Rebel Meets Rebel."

Coe’s career was also marked by controversy. Several of his independently released albums drew criticism for explicit and offensive content. According to Rolling Stone, Coe described some of this material as parody, though the releases sparked ongoing debate within the music industry.

In 2016, federal court records show Coe pleaded guilty to obstructing and impeding the administration of tax laws. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in back taxes. Coe also faced significant health challenges in recent years, including a bout with COVID-19 in 2021.