Country music icon David Allan Coe, who wrote major hits including the enduring number one hit "Take This Job and Shove It" for Johnny Paycheck, has died at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by his wife, Kimberly Coe, in a statement to Rolling Stone. "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," she told the publication. No cause of death was revealed, but the star had been in declining health for some time.

The star was associated with the outlaw country movement, alongside peers such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.His career spanned nmearly six decades, beginning in 1969 and in that time he released more than 40 albums. He wrote many chart toppers for legendary stars, including Tanya Tucker's 1973 hit "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)".

David was also notable for being the first country music act to boast an all-female backing band. The group from New Jersey called Ladysmith only lasted for a brief time and in an interview he admitted he didn't get any credit for this move.

"Seven years later Porter Wagoner had his TV show, and had an all girl band, and that was a big deal. Porter was famous, so he got the credit for being the first to use an all girl Country band. Nobody paid attention when I did it. I wasn't famous, and it didn't matter to me," he said in an interview which is available on his website.

Unlike many of his fellow "outlaws", David had a very chequered past. He was sent to reform school at the age of nine and said he spent much of the next two decades in and out of jail on charges including grand theft auto and possession of burglary tools.

However he had tendency to blur fact and fiction, according to producer Shelby Singleton, who told Rolling Stone in 1976: "Ninety percent of what he tells you is probably b*****t. We thought it was a gimmick and we promoted it in that manner."

Devastated fans rushed to pay tribute as news of David's death reached them. On Facebook one wrote: "Oh man, he was my favorite story teller singer back in the day. Rest in peace darlin'."

Another added: "He was definitely a great singer-songwriter and one of the greatest characters of country music during the 'Outlaw' movement of the 70's and beyond. It's too bad that his persona got in the way of acknowledging his talent and merit at times but he was truly an amazing song writer for sure."

A third chimed in: "I can't explain the difference this man had on my music experience growing up-country will never be the same..." A fourth shared: "RIP to one of the most underrated and most amazing songwriters and greatest country singers of all time."

A fifth penned: "One of the greatest country song writers of all time. How many times has Tennessee Whiskey been covered. RIP DAC." Meanwhile a sixth opined: "And only Willie remains.... Coe was unlike anyone else in music, an absolute legend. "Can you make folks cry when you play and sing" yes...David, you could!!"