Legendary country-folk singer/songwriter John Prine has died at the age of 73, his family confirmed. Prine succumbed to complications stemming from his battle with COVID-19.
An Illinois native and army veteran who worked as a mailman before picking up the guitar and songwriting in the late '60s, Prine was almost completely unknown until Kris Kristofferson heard him play at a small Chicago club called the Fifth Peg one night in 1970.
Blown away by Prine's moving and plainspoken lyrics, Kristofferson invited him to perform at the Bitter End club in New York City's Greenwich Village a few weeks later. Atlantic Records' Jerry Wexler, who was in the audience, signed him to the label the next day.
Prine's self-titled debut album, which was released in 1971, contained some of his most enduring songs, such as "Angel from Montgomery," "Hello in There" and "Paradise." The album also showcased Prine's fearlessness in tackling hot-button subjects like war and the politics surrounding it ("Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore"), and opioid addiction ("Sam Stone.")
His nasal delivery, lyricism and musical backdrop - a distinct mix of classic American folk and country flavors - quickly led to "new Dylan" comparisons from music critics desperate to find Dylan's next logical successor.
Dylan himself, for his part, regarded Prine as one of his own favorite songwriters, saying in a 2009 Huffington Post interview that "Prine’s stuff is pure Proustian existentialism. Midwestern mindtrips to the nth degree. And he writes beautiful songs."
Bruce Springsteen - in a tribute to Prine posted last night on social media - addressed the Dylan comparisons as well, saying "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."
Though never finding blockbuster commercial success, Prine's influence on American music was incalculable, and his eighteen-album discography - stretching from his self-titled debut album to 2018's The Tree of Forgiveness - earned him three Grammy awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Tributes poured in from across the music world upon news of his death last night, a few of which you can read below.
Prine is survived by his wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, three sons - Jody, Jack and Tommy - two brothers - Dave and Billy - and three grandchildren.
* This article was originally published here
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