John Prine, the folk-country music icon and national treasure, has died at the age of 73. The singer-songwriter succumbed to complications from the coronavirus, Prine’s family confirmed to Rolling Stone. He passed away Tuesday, April 7th, at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
On March 20th, it was announced the legendary “Angel from Montgomery” singer had self-quarantined after his wife and manager, Fiona Prine, tested positive for the novel coronavirus. At the time, Prine himself was tested, but the results were “indeterminate.” By Thursday of that week, however, he had been hospitalized, and on Saturday, he had to be intubated. The Prine family announced he was in “critical condition” on Sunday, March 29th. By April 3rd, it was revealed he was battling pneumonia in both lungs.
In a message posted to social media, Fiona Prine said that “in spite of the incredible skill and care of his medical team,” Prine was unable to overcome “the damage this virus inflicted on his body.” She added, “I sat with John — who was deeply sedated — in the hours before he passed and will be forever grateful for that opportunity.”
Fiona offered her gratitude for “the outpouring of love we have received from family, friends, and fans all over the world.” She added, “John will be so missed but he will continue to comfort us with his words and music and the gifts of kindness, humor and love he left for all of us to share.”
Born in Maywood, Illinois on October 10th, 1946, John Prine was known for his ability to write about love, society, politics, and his own life with equal adroitness and humor. He honed his craft while working as a mail carrier in Chicago during the late 1960s. Prine became a well-known part of the city’s folk revival scene during an era when major artists would frequently present rising songwriters to larger audiences. In Prine’s case, it was Kris Kristofferson who discovered the budding musician.
Prine ended up signing with Atlantic and releasing his self-titled debut album in 1971. The LP would go on to become a classic, featuring tracks like “Sam Stone”, “Paradise”, and the signature “Angel from Montgomery”. After three more albums on Atlantic and another trio for Asylum Records, he co-founded Oh Boy Records in 1984. Most of his releases from that point on came under the Oh Boy banner.
In total, Prine released 17 studio full-lengths, the last of which was 2018’s The Tree of Forgiveness. That record became his highest-charting release ever, topping at No. 5 on the Billboard 200; No. 1 on the Folk chart; and No. 2 on each the US Country, US Indie, and US Rock charts.
Over the course of his career, Prine won two Grammy awards: 1991’s The Missing Years (with Heartbreakers bassist Howie Epstein) and 2005’s Fair & Square both won Best Contemporary Folk Album. A member of both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year. He also was given the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting in 2003, and was named the AMA Artist of the Year in 2005. That same year, Prine became the first singer-songwriter to perform at the Library of Congress at the request of US Poet Laureate Ted Koosher.
Prine was a two-time cancer survivor. He was first diagnosed with squamous cell cancer on the right side of his neck in 1998. After major surgery to remove a large piece of diseased tissue and six weeks of radiotherapy, he was left with severely damaged nerves in his tongue and damaged salivary glands. Following a year of rehabilitation and speech therapy, he returned to performing with a noticeably more gravelly voice.
Prine was then diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013. He underwent surgery to remove the diseased portion of his left lung, and was able to return to touring in just six months thanks to some unique physical therapy. That included running up and down the stairs in his house until he was out of breath, grabbing his guitar, and singing two songs.
In lieu of flowers or gifts at, Fiona Prine is asking that donation be made to one of the following non-profits: thistlefarms.org; roomintheinn.org; and nashvillerescuemission.org.
Below, revisit some of Prine’s most memorable songs. On the next page, find messages of tribute from the people touched by Prine’s music and life.
Musical Tributes to John Prine
Over here on E Street, we are crushed by the loss of John Prine. John and I were "New Dylans" together in the early 70s and he was never anything but the lovliest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family.
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) April 8, 2020
After having quite possibly the strangest emotional experience of my life voting this morning
I pulled into a parking lot to simply breath and cry
I saw a man get out of his car nearby
And I thought , god he looks like John Prine.
His hobbled walk, his scarred throat.
1/2— blobtower (@blobtower) April 8, 2020
The man looked at me and smiled.
I thought to myself
I’m so glad John got better.
–A simple majority of who I am as a person, let alone a musician, is because of John prine.
He is my number 1.AdvertisementI’m very very sad about all this.
I feel more Truly blessed than anything for Him
— blobtower (@blobtower) April 8, 2020
Listen
Last song
On last RecordHe accepted death as a way of knowing and loving life https://t.co/Rb2mQ5krTk
— blobtower (@blobtower) April 8, 2020
Wonderful film by @iissaaaacc
About Swamp’s albumThere’s a spot around 7:58
Where John asked if I could tune up his old guitar
As I realized , it
Was
THEE guitar.
His og
Martin that wrote the songs of my entire childhood— blobtower (@blobtower) April 8, 2020
It hurts so bad to read the news. I am gutted. My hero is gone. My friend is gone. We’ll love you forever John Prine.
— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) April 8, 2020
We love you John.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) April 8, 2020
RIP John Prine…
😔— The Head & The Heart (@headandtheheart) April 8, 2020
With a heavy heart, but deep love and gratitude for his gift he gave us all- Goodbye, John Prine. https://t.co/kGkNJYl3hI
Advertisement— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 8, 2020
RIP John Prine. This sucks.
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) April 8, 2020
Just gutting. No one wrote songs about humankind with more grace and wit. To quote him, "He was in heaven before he died." https://t.co/VPpBn4UJLV
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) April 8, 2020
I grew up in Western Kentucky, not too far from Paradise. John Prine’s music was all around us for as long as Ive known. His words were a holy scripture of how to be a good person, reflected in characters at their best and worst; his songs a guide to life in all its complexities.
— Kyle Meredith (@kylemeredith) April 8, 2020
john prine is as good as it gets. an honor to be alive during his time making work.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) April 8, 2020
RIP John Prine. The real deal. Great American singer/songwriter that found the heart and humor in even the darkest of human stories through song. Genius. Very heavy loss.
Advertisement— marc maron (@marcmaron) April 8, 2020
Rest In Peace John Prine – Sam Stone https://t.co/CtfcM8Gp2r via @YouTube
— Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) April 8, 2020
John Prine and Bill Withers in a matter of days. This is a hell of a time.
— Hiss Golden Messenger (@hissgldnmssr) April 8, 2020
John Prine represented everything I love about music. Hard to process. To get to share the Earth with such shining lights is a gift. Rest In Peace
— Timothy Showalter (@Strandofoaks) April 8, 2020
I just heard about the loss of John Prine. This virus sure is taking a lot of great people away from us before their time. I loved John’s music. What an extraordinary songwriter.#RIPJohnPrine https://t.co/Qm5xxl7KBp
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 8, 2020
Coronavirus has taken one of the great ones: John Prine, dead at 73. So many memorable songs.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 8, 2020
#JohnPrine has gone.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 8, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-s7f08hhPE/
And then I’m gonna drink a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale Yeah, I’m gonna smoke a cigarette that’s nine miles long I’m gonna kiss a pretty girl on the tilt-a-whirl Cause this old man is going to town”
“WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN” ~ John Prine 💔 🚬 pic.twitter.com/4LtRpowz4JAdvertisement— Brandy Clark (@TheBrandyClark) April 8, 2020
One of my favorite versions of this John Prine classic. #ripjohnprine https://t.co/l9t0EIFUYT
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) April 8, 2020
John Prine. 💔
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) April 8, 2020
Just give me one thing I can hold on to. I'm just heartbroken. #johnprine
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) April 8, 2020
The consummate working songwriter. The singing mailman. What a loss for American music, what a loss for our nation. His music came into my life when I was 16 and it changed my heart forever. Goodbye Mr. Prine. I never met you but I always loved you. pic.twitter.com/hqFZSAgYMq
— Joe Pug (@joepug) April 8, 2020
The great John Prine has passed away from the virus. He showed me how to “let it rip” when it comes to songwriting. There’s a huge hole in the music world tonight. John did it best. RIP -T
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) April 8, 2020
From gracing the Opry House stage for those memorable New Year's Eve shows to other special Opry appearances including one alongside the StreelDrivers and Bill Murray, John Prine has touched our hearts with his music. We are thinking of his family and friends tonight. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FV3nIfT1kc
Advertisement— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) April 8, 2020
John Prine. Damn.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 8, 2020
