Folk singer John Prine has died at the age of 73, due to complications from coronavirus.
John – considered one of the greatest songwriters in the folk and country
music genre – died on Tuesday, having been hospitalised almost two weeks prior.
The singer’s wife and manager, Fiona, said last month that she had tested positive for Covid-19 but had recovered.
However, John was taken to hospital in Nashville, Tennessee on 26 March, after he began showing symptoms of the condition.A number of big stars from the music industry have paid tribute to John since the news broke of his death, including Bruce Springsteen, who hailed the late star as a “national treasure” and “songwriter for the ages”.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, 2020He got up to sing at open mic night and he sang Hello In There and Angel From Montgomery. Those were his songs for open mic night. https://t.co/SIHsAgTif0— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) April 8, 2020My heart hurts learning that John Prine has passed away. He is singing with the angels. You will be missed but your songs will live on. ❤️— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) April 8, 2020It 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, 2020With a heavy heart, but deep love and gratitude for his gift he gave us all- Goodbye, John Prine. https://t.co/kGkNJYl3hI—
Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 8, 2020Mix - For John Prine https://t.co/DksUkBK5xK via @YouTube. God bless you John Prine rest in power.— Rosanna Arquette🌎✌🏼 (@RoArquette) April 8, 2020RIP John Prine. This sucks.— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) April 8, 2020Throughout his 50 years in the music industry, John became renowned for his lyricism, which centred on love and the tribulations of life, but also touched on social commentary and more controversial and political themes.
A two-time Grammy winner, the Music Academy bestowed him with a lifetime achievement award earlier this year, while Rolling Stone magazine previously referred to him as the “Mark Twain of
American songwriting”.
In 2019, he was also inducted into the Songwriting Hall Of Fame.Congratulations to #BMITroubadour Award recipient @JohnPrineMusic! #SHOF2019@SongwritersHOFpic.twitter.com/5Nmuuj2gRZ— Broadcast Music Inc. (@bmi) June 14, 2019John previously beat
cancer twice, undergoing surgery on his lung seven years ago.
Although the procedure affected his vocal abilities, he continued to write and record music, releasing his 18th and final album, The Tree Of Forgiveness, in 2018.
The album reached number five in the US, and topped Billboard’s folk music chart.