Even in his later years, Coe never stepped away from the stage, continuing to release music and perform for devoted fans.
David Allen Coe performs to a sold out crowd during Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic at The Backyard on July 4, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic)
But his legacy is complex. Coe drew heavy criticism for controversial material in albums like Nothing Sacred (1978) and Underground Album (1982), which included racial slurs and misogynistic language. He later defended the work as parody, though the backlash never fully faded.
He also faced legal troubles later in life. In 2015, Coe pleaded guilty to obstructing IRS laws and was sentenced the following year to three years of probation, along with nearly $1 million in back taxes.
On the personal side, Coe married his sixth wife, Kimberly Hastings, in 2010. He is survived by her and his children.
