Country folk legend John Prine dies of COVID-19

Country folk singer John Prine, who received a Grammy lifetime achievement award this year, passed away due to complications of coronavirus. He was 73. Prine died on Tuesday, confirmed the singer-songwriter’s publicist while representing his family.

“Yes, we can confirm on behalf of the Prine family — John died today at Vanderbilt due to complications of Covid-19,” the publicist told cnn.com.

The musician was hospitalised and intubated last month after a “sudden onset” of coronavirus symptoms, according to a family statement posted on his verified Twitter account.

“This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you,” the statement read.

Prine never had a hit single or a blockbuster album. But he built a devoted following, won several Grammys and overcame two bouts of cancer to record and tour into his 70s.

Singer Sheryl Crow wrote on Twitter: “He is singing with the angels. You will be missed but your songs will live on.”

Singer Johnny Cash, in his memoir, named Prine as one of his four key songwriting inspirations.

“There’s a huge hole in the music world tonight. John did it best,” country singer Toby Keith wrote on Twitter. Rolling Stone once tagged Prine “the Mark Twain of American songwriting.” Prine grew up in the suburb of Chicago and was famously working as a postal carrier when his musical career took off in 1970. He was singing on open-mic nights at a bar when then a reporter heard him play and wrote a favourable review, calling him the “Singing Mailman.” (IANS)

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