COUNTRY SINGER-SONGWRITER DAVID ALLAN COE, WRITER OF TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT, DIES AT 86.(PHOTO).

 Country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe, writer of Take This Job and Shove It, dies at 86

David Allan Coe, the country singer-songwriter behind the working-class anthem “Take This Job and Shove It” and hits including “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” and “The Ride,” has died at the age of 86. His wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, confirmed his death on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important singers and songwriters of his era and calling him her husband, friend, and confidant. A representative said he died around 5 p.m., with no cause of death immediately disclosed.

Known for his outlaw image and outsider status in Nashville, Coe built a career spanning decades as both a performer and songwriter. He wrote major hits recorded by other artists, including Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It,” Tanya Tucker’s “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone),” and was the first to record “Tennessee Whiskey,” later made famous by George Jones and Chris Stapleton. His own catalog included “Longhaired Redneck,” “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” and “The Ride,” and he toured with artists such as Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, and Neil Young.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Coe spent parts of his youth in reform schools and later served time in an Ohio prison in the 1960s, experiences that shaped his early songwriting, including his debut album “Penitentiary Blues.” He became a central figure in the outlaw country movement, known for his raw lyrics, tattooed image, and appearances in projects like the documentary “Heartworn Highways.” Over the years, his career also drew controversy, including criticism of explicit material released on independent albums and legal issues related to tax obligations that resulted in probation and financial penalties.

Despite a career marked by both acclaim and controversy, Coe maintained a wide and unconventional fan base and continued performing and recording for decades. His later work included collaborations with members of the metal band Pantera, and he remained a cult figure in American country music whose influence stretched across genres, even as his public appearances became less frequent following health issues in recent years.