Legendary Singer & Songwriter David Allan Coe Has Passed Away
David Allan Coe, known for dozens of hit songs including “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” and “The Ride,” passed away on Wednesday, April 29.
He died at a hospital around 5 p.m. EST, a representative confirmed to Country Rebel. Before his death, Coe had been admitted into the intensive care unit for an unspecified amount of time. He was 86 years old.
An official cause of death has not been shared.
Coe’s wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, has since released a statement about her husband. In a letter sent to Rolling Stone, Kimberley wrote:
“One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time [and] never to be forgotten. 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.”
The outlaw country trailblazer is survived by his wife and five children: Tyler Mahan Coe, Tanya Montana Coe, Shelli Coe, Shyanne Coe, and Carla Coe.
All About David Allan Coe’s Wife & Kids
David Allan Coe and Kimberly Hastings had been together for over 10 years before tying the knot in 2010.
The couple shared a love of music, and Kimberly often joined Coe on stage as a backup singer and duet partner during many of his shows over the years.
They said “I do” during a private ceremony at a small chapel in Las Vegas, with Toby Keith serving as their official witness. This was Coe’s sixth marriage at age 71, and Kimberly’s second at age 48.
In a rare photo from the ceremony, Coe is seen wearing a black denim button-up with the sleeves cut off, an embroidered skull on the shoulder, and orange-tinted glasses. Kimberly wore what appears to be a blue dress with a black shawl and silver jewelry.
David Allan Coe also had five children from previous marriages.
His relationship with his children has been described as complicated because of his career and personal life. Some have chosen to live more private lives, while a few have followed in their father’s footsteps into the music industry.
Here’s what we know about Coe’s five children:
Tyler Mahan Coe
Tyler is the eldest child of Coe and his only son. He spent many years traveling and playing guitar in his father’s band, first starting at just 15 years old.
Fast forward, Tyler ran a successful podcast called Cocaine & Rhinestones from 2018 to 2022. In each episode, he discussed country music history. He is also a published author, releasing “Cocaine & Rhinestones: A History of George Jones and Tammy Wynette” in 2024.
Shelli Coe
Just like her father, Shelli Coe chose to pursue a music career, first getting her start on her father’s “Family Album” at just three years old.
After performing in clubs and on the radio for several years, she stepped away from the music industry to raise a family. She later returned in 2006 and continues to share her music through her YouTube channel.
As of this article’s publication, Shelli updated her Facebook banner with a photo of her and Coe on stage together in honor of his passing.
Tanya Montana Coe
Tanya was born and raised in Nashville by a single mother, and her relationship with her father remains unclear.
She did pursue a career in music early on, but chose a different path and did not focus on country music for her debut album, Silver Bullet.
Tanya married her husband Shane in 2020 and is now a successful business owner. She runs the clothing store Goodbuy Girls in East Nashville.
Shyanne and Carla Coe
Shyanna and Carla have largely kept their lives out of the spotlight compared to their siblings. While they are mentioned in their father’s biography, little else about them has been made public, including their birthdays, career paths, or family updates.
In memory of David Allan Coe, you can listen to one of his biggest hits, “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” below.
