Aaron Grech April 8th, 2020 - 11:25 AM
Many across the music world were shocked at the passing of legendary folk singer-songwriter John Prine, who passed away due to COVID-19 yesterday. Musicians who have given tributes include Bruce Springsteen, Margo Price, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver among many others.
Vernon tweeted “A simple majority of who I am as a person, let alone a musician, is because of John Prine. He is my number 1.”
The man looked at me and smiled.
I thought to myself
I’m so glad John got better.
–A simple majority of who I am as a person, let alone a musician, is because of John prine.
He is my number 1.I’m very very sad about all this.
I feel more Truly blessed than anything for Him
— blobtower (@blobtower) April 8, 2020
Price tweeted: “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.”
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
The Mountain Goats also took to social media calling this passing “a loss with no upside.”
better at it than pretty much any of us. decades of service to song. this is a loss with no upside. goodbye John Prine, your voice will live on as long as there’s people who need help, which is to say forever. https://t.co/e6GA633ntl
— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) April 8, 2020
Springsteen gave a message to Prine during his DJ set on SirusXM’s E Street Radio. On his Twitter page he called Prine one of “the New Dylans” an honor given to both of the performers during the beginning of their careers in the 1970s.
“John Prine was a sweet and lovely man, and I was proud to count him as my friend,” Springsteen stated. “He wrote music of towering compassion with an almost unheard of precision and creativity when it came to observing the fine details of ordinary lives. He was a writer of great humor, funny, with wry sensitivity. It has marked him as a complete original.”
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
Blues singer Bonnie Raitts also honored the late performer, saying she felt saddened by his loss on Twitter afte learning about his passing.
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
Tweedy performed a cover of Prine’s “Please Don’t Bury Me” during a livestream. The faithful cover, which discusses death and afterlife was a fitting tribute to the late musician, although Tweedy seems clearly emotional while performing the track.
Brandi Carlile performed “Summer’s End,” while Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks covered “Angel from Montgomery” as tributes to the singer-songwriter.
