John Prine died Tuesday (April 7) at 73 years old from complications of COVID-19. The death comes just a few weeks after his family revealed his diagnosis.
The Songwriters Hall of Famer has landed 15 albums on the Billboard 200 chart since his self-titled debut arrived in February 1971 and has worked with fellow legends like Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and “Cowboy” Jack Clement.
His songs, including “Sam Stone,” “Hello in There,” “Paradise” and more have been admired and covered by countless artists, so it’s no surprise that the music world stormed social media to mourn the loss of a songwriting great. ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons sent this statement to Billboard on Wednesday (April 8): “We were saddened to learn of John Prine’s passing, the loss of a true American treasure. He was admired both for his art and for his sheer humanity. He had a nobility that radiated liked a million watt radio station just across the border. We last crossed paths at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame ceremony where he inducted Cowboy Jack Clement and we got to do the honors for Roy Orbison. We greeted each other warmly and I vividly recall passing a most pleasant time with the genuine article. Never to be forgotten.”
See more reactions to the tragic news below.
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
In fond, deep, and lasting memory of a uniquely American poet. Whose musical artistry exposed us to one of the most profound gifts of true genius, in its lyrical wit, wry charm, and sublimely profound emotion ever to be heard on record.
— Dwight Yoakam (@DwightYoakam) April 8, 2020
Through your brilliantly fervent songs those thoughts, tears, and smiles, will linger in our hearts forever…Rest in sweet peace,
Dwighthttps://t.co/SerVyEaOZW#JohnPrine— Dwight Yoakam (@DwightYoakam) April 8, 2020
Via con Dios, my friend, @JohnPrineMusic. The light you’ve shown will outlive us all… pic.twitter.com/bfVTRa9Caw
— Bobby Weir (@BobWeir) April 8, 2020
My heart is broken. I love you @FionaPrine and all your family and the @ohboyrecords family and I’m furious and if someone says one more time how this is just a cold I’ll scream
— John Paul White (@johnpaulwhite) April 8, 2020
Well said brother 💔… man I miss everyone https://t.co/wxrNEP9NBj
— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) April 8, 2020
We love you John.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) 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
John Prine. 💔
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) 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
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
My love is with the Prine family. We all mourn now. This is devastating. Absolutely devastating. A loss we can’t comprehend.
— Ashley McBryde (@AshleyMcBryde) April 8, 2020
As if we didn't have enough devastating news
The great John Prine has died & I am heartbroken.
I always saw him as a sort of Mark Twain figure
A humorist but mainly a humanist. He could make you laugh one moment and rip your heart open in the next.
He always very nice to me RS pic.twitter.com/qUqrkRYjZs— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) 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.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) April 8, 2020
Words can't even come close.
I'm crushed by the loss of my dear friend, John. My heart and love go out to Fiona and all the family. For all of us whose hearts are breaking, we will keep singing his songs and holding him near. @JohnPrineMusic— Bonnie Raitt (@TheBonnieRaitt) April 8, 2020
Rest easy, Uncle John. pic.twitter.com/4YYnPs0xfH
— SantaManda (@amandashires) April 8, 2020
Just give me one thing I can hold on to. I'm just heartbroken. #johnprine
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) April 8, 2020
#JohnPrine has gone.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 8, 2020
He’s gone. https://t.co/VDOB4omwWl
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) 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
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 8, 2020
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
Heartbroken.
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) April 8, 2020
I swear to god if you ain’t stayin indoors, @WillieNelson…
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) 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
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
The great folk singer and songwriter, John Prine, passed away today due to the coronavirus. So many great songs. Here’s one about the loneliness of growing old and a plea for us not to ignore our elderly.
“Hello in There”. Please watch…https://t.co/HvdpTuMprS— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) April 8, 2020
I hope everyone can stop and listen to their favorite John Prine song right now. What an enormous loss. Sending love out there 😔
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) April 8, 2020
There will never be another that even comes close. Fly high John Prine, you’ve always been an angel. pic.twitter.com/rZMfE4v6Gd
— Ashley Monroe (@ashleymonroe) April 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/ShooterJennings/status/1247706310218354688
Oh John Prine, thank you for making me laugh and breaking my heart and sharing your boundless humanity. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This is one of the most gorgeous songs ever written. Bonnie Raitt& John Prine – Angel From Montgomery https://t.co/rxSnzo4QhT via @YouTube
— Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) April 8, 2020
Your music meant so much to me…your friendship even more. RIP @JohnPrineMusic pic.twitter.com/jmbaXdENOK
— Chris Isaak (@ChrisIsaak) April 8, 2020
Rest In Peace, John Prine. You’re in paradise now. https://t.co/OPikxwUJKt
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) April 8, 2020
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/4LtRpowz4J— Brandy Clark (@TheBrandyClark) April 8, 2020
RIP John Prine. This sucks.
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) April 8, 2020
