Musicians and entertainment figures are remembering legendary singer-songwriter John Prine, who died Tuesday from complications of coronavirus.
“Over here on E Street, we are crushed by the loss of John Prine,” wrote Bruce Springsteen. He recalled the similar critical takes they received when they first arrived on the recording scene at about the same time. “John and I were ‘New Dylans’ together in the early ’70s and he was never anything but the loveliest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family.”
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
Others paying tribute to Prine or expressing shock and sorrow on social media included singers Miranda Lambert, Jason Isbell, Rosanne Cash, Brandy Clark, Kacey Musgraves, Sara Bareilles, Chris Isaak, Margo Price, Toby Keith, John Fogerty, Sheryl Crow and Ashley Monroe, novelist Stephen King, comic Marc Maron, actors Olivia Wilde and Bradley Whitford, and filmmakers Michael Moore, Taika Waititi and James Mangold.
Bonnie Raitt, who recorded “Angel from Montgomery” in the 1970s, tweeted, “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.”
Bette Midler, who famously covered “Hello in There,” wrote simply, “He’s gone” and “I can’t believe it.”
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
“I am crying at the moon tonight. The William Faulkner of songwriters,” wrote Bernie Taupin.
Brandi Carlile went to Instagram to post a video snippet of herself singing Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on a Wire” with Prine, writing, “We’re so lucky to have had you. You were always free. Now that you’re home and free from pain, I’m gonna pray for Fiona and the kids with everything I’ve got. Thank you for every single time I got to stand beside you and sing those once in a lifetime songs.”
Lambert, who covered “That’s the Way the World Goes Round,” posted a photo of herself with her hero and wrote, “Thank you for everything. One and only.”
💔 thank you for everything. One and only. #hellointhere #johnprine pic.twitter.com/kMBsRDMYwQ
— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) 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
Jason Isbell, who had performed with Prine on a number of occasions and acknowledged him as a primary role model, expressed gratitude that this is a shut-in moment for performers, lest he be expected to perform through tears right now.
Well for once I’m glad I don’t have to go up on a stage and try to sing tonight.
— Jason IsBOO (@JasonIsbell) April 8, 2020
”Made from a mold now broken, John Prine was a walking, grinning argument for human beings as a pretty good species,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “In John’s songs, humor and heartache dance together like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. His words and melodies draw chuckles and blood, and tears of sorrow and redemption, all leading to truths widely known but never before articulated. John’s mind was a treasure chest, open to us all. We mourn his passing, even as we hold the treasure.”
Coronavirus has taken one of the great ones: John Prine, dead at 73. So many memorable songs.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) 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
Heartbroken.
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) April 8, 2020
One singer-songwriter was able to see a ray of hope in the outpouring: “You know what does my heart good on a blue blue day?” wrote Matraca Berg. “Twitter is exploding with @JohnPrineMusic. People really do care about a genius in our time.”
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
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
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
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
RIP John Prine. This sucks.
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) April 8, 2020
Shit.
— Mangold (@mang0ld) 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
You know what does my heart good on a blue blue day? Twitter is exploding with @JohnPrineMusic . People really do care about a genius in our time. 💙🎶
— Matraca Berg (@matracaberg) April 8, 2020
Just give me one thing I can hold on to. I'm just heartbroken. #johnprine
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) April 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/ShooterJennings/status/1247706310218354688
Early 80's I was playing covers at The Lions Tavern
in Pt Dalhousie & these two guys kept requesting
John Prine but I didn't know of him yet.
Anyway, they went out & bought me this LP & I went
home learned "Hello In There" "Sam Stone" "Please Don't Bury Me" for my next gig RS pic.twitter.com/m8HECWYt6N— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) April 8, 2020
I swear to god if you ain’t stayin indoors, @WillieNelson…
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) April 8, 2020