John Prine: Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell remember legendary songwriter on Twitter
John Prine, a consummate storyteller who rose from the 1970s Chicago folk scene to become one of a generation’s most celebrated and prolific songwriters, died Tuesday at age 73.
Prine died from COVID-19 complications after being hospitalized for the virus nearly two weeks, his family confirmed to The Tennessean.
The songwriter’s songwriter, Prine penned his five-decade legacy with gut-wrenching honesty and a simple, timeless wit that drew comparisons to Mark Twain and praise from Bob Dylan.
Prine’s songbook transcended era and genre, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In memory: John Prine, the Mark Twain of modern songwriting, dies at age 73
Music industry reacts
Hundreds responded to the news on social media as the news spread, including musicians, artists, filmmakers and journalists.
Singer Sheryl Crow tweeted tPrine "is singing with the angels."
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
Nashville songwriter Jason Isbell tweeted "We love you John."
We love you John.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) April 8, 2020
Singer Gretchen Peters shared her thoughts on his death, saying "What a gift you were to all of us.
Godspeed, @JohnPrineMusic. What a gift you were to all of us. 💔 pic.twitter.com/sSQNMNOhnM
— Gretchen Peters (@gretchenpeters) April 8, 2020
"I am gutted," Margo Price said in a tweet.
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
Musician David Wild said "You will be missed forever."
Farewell @JohnPrineMusic. You will be missed forever. pic.twitter.com/d0qFkwAc8Q
— David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic) April 8, 2020
Taika Waititi, director, shared his emotions, too.
RIP John Prine. This sucks.
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) April 8, 2020
"We all mourn now," singer/songwriter Ashley McBryde said.
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
Singer and actress Mandy Moore used a broken heart emoji.
John Prine. 💔
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) April 8, 2020
"No one wrote songs about humankind with more grace and wit," late night host Seth Meyers said.
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
Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'RIP John Prine': Stars react to death of legendary songwriter