John Prine passes away at age 73, but his legacy lives on

By tsell on April 8, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: John Prine attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

By: Trent Sell & Saige Miller

American singer/songwriter John Prine, tragically passed away at age 73 on Tuesday, April 7th.

The folk legend was hospitalized in March due to a sudden onset of coronavirus symptoms, he had been in intensive care for 13 days.

Prine’s wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, said he passed away due to coronavirus complications at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennesse.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

From Fiona Whelan Prine… Our beloved John died yesterday evening at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville TN. We have no words to describe the grief our family is experiencing at this time. John was the love of my life and adored by our sons Jody, Jack and Tommy, daughter in law Fanny, and by our grandchildren. John contracted Covid-19  and in spite of the incredible skill and care of his medical team at Vanderbilt he could not overcome the damage this virus inflicted on his body. I sat with John – who was deeply sedated- in the hours before he passed and will be forever grateful for that opportunity. My dearest wish is that people of all ages take this virus seriously and follow guidelines set by the CDC. We send our condolences and love to the thousands of other American families who are grieving the loss of loved ones at this time – and to so many other families across the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love we have received from family, friends, and fans all over the world. 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. In lieu of flowers or gifts at this time we would ask that a donation be made to one of the following non profits: thistlefarms.org roomintheinn.org nashvillerescuemission.org

A post shared by John Prine (@john_prine) on Apr 8, 2020 at 7:33am PDT

Despite the sadness and tragedy around his passing, we can find hope in knowing his legacy lives on through his talents and inspiration.

John Prine related to is his fan’s lives, with lyrics about the everyday common working individual. With his raspy voice and genuine lyrics, you could always find peace and resolution in his music, no matter what you were going through in your own life.

Prine’s musical career boasts over 5 decades of Grammy award-winning music and numerous accolades like the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Beloved by the music community, he received high praise from other legends like Bob Dylan, Johny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson.

In a 2009 interview, Bob Dylan said, “Prine’s stuff is pure Proustian existentialism … and he writes beautiful songs.” And, Dylan was right. Prine is a poet, an icon, and will be dearly missed.

Outpouring of support

Since Prine entered the hospital, musical masterminds have been begging Prine to pull through. Everyone from musicians inspired by Prine to authors will continue to mourn this loss.

My 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, 2020

There is no doubt John is in a better place than we are, but this world needed him too. No other songwriter has had more of an impact on this current generation than him. We all miss you already John Prine 💔 thanks @Danny_Clinch & @JoshWoolphoto for the memories pic.twitter.com/goq55izB0h

— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) April 8, 2020

Maribeth Schmitt places a wreath below a mural of John Prine in Lexington, Kentucky. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/EJimZGLowt

— Ryan C. Hermens (@ryanhermens) April 8, 2020

Covid-19 hit the music community pretty hard yesterday; The incomparable @JohnPrineMusic, and Hal Willner’s also outta here. Both great guys, Fkn’ Archangels for American music. Some kids somewhere have some big shoes to fill… pic.twitter.com/rHZSSsxWiy

— Bob Weir (@BobWeir) April 8, 2020

Tom had enormous respect for John Prine. A songwriter’s songwriter. Sending love and good thoughts to his wife Fiona and his entire family today. Here they are strumming and smiling. https://t.co/npxVrZZzWT

— Tom Petty (@tompetty) April 8, 2020

Heartbroken by the news about John Prine. I loved that man. One of the very best. Rest In Peace. God bless his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/msBHg1tUWQ

— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) April 8, 2020

“Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester Dam.”

In memory of John Prine.#JohnPrineRIP pic.twitter.com/jL9zDWREwH

— Karen Harper Lain (@KarenHarperLain) April 8, 2020

When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I’ll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin’
Just five miles away from wherever I am

Dearest John Prine,  we hope you are resting in paradise.