Legendary songwriter John Prine in critical condition with coronavirus symptoms

Austin360 ^ | 3/29/2020 | Peter Blackstock

[Borges]

Songwriter John Prine is hospitalized and in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms, according to a statement posted to his Twitter account on Sunday afternoon.

“After a sudden onset of Covid-19 symptoms, John was hospitalized on Thursday (3/26),” the statement reads. “He was intubated Saturday evening, and continues to receive care, but his situation is critical.”

The news follows a video posted to Instagram 12 days ago from Prine’s wife, Fiona, in which she revealed she’d been diagnosed with the Coronavirus. At the time, she said, John also was tested but the results came back “indeterminate.” She noted that John had dealt with several health issues in recent years (including cancer), but that at the time, “so far he’s fine.” Both Fiona and John had quarantined themselves in the wake of Fiona’s diagnosis.

Prine’s most recent concert performances were in Scandinavia in early February. His last Austin appearances were in June 2018, when he played a concert at Bass Concert Hall and taped an episode of “Austin City Limits” at ACL Live.

[Carriage Hill]

Damn, I just listened to that. You’re right: it is one of the most depressing and poignant songs I’ve ever heard.

[TheRightGuy]

he collaborated on a lot of stuff with steve goodman from the late 60s thru the 70s ... they put out some great music

[DrPretorius]

The cover of “Sam Stone” by Al Kooper is a classic!

[chajin]

Another well known musician, Darius Brubeck, is in a London ICU with COVID-19, has had a tracheostomy. I read this on CaringBridge, don’t know whether that is a valid source for FR.

[concentric circles]

Sorry to hear, I first saw John Prine perform at the Earl of Old Town in Chicago when he was a fresh faced kid straight out of Kentucky. There was a very tight group of song writers in town at that time and they helped him get his feet on the ground. Credit to Earl Pionke for recognizing young talent and providing a stage for him to perform on. Wonderful memories of Steve Goodman, Fred Holstein and brother Ed, Bonnie Koloc, Jim Post, and others lost to my foggy memory. At that time none of them had done any recording, they were all so fresh and joyful, just happy to be in front of an audience.

[Dacula]

“In Spite Of Ourselves”.

That was my wife and I’s theme song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8tTwXv4glY

[x]

History of cancer. It really did a job on him. Tough life. Now at peace.

[IronJack]

Dear Abby, Dear Abby, you won’t believe this ...

[.30Carbine]

Hello In There seems perfect for this time.

[IronJack]

His song Paradise, about Muhlenberg County, Kentucky was very popular.

"Paradise" was also recorded by the Everly Brothers. Their version isn't as twangy as Prine's, but aside from Bob Dylan, whose would be???

Prine is superb. "Christmas in Prison," "Sweet Revenge," and yeah, "Paradise" are all excellent.

"I'll be halfway to heaven with paradise waitin'/just five miles away from wherever I am."

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Back around 1972, my sister was going to go to a John Prine/Steve Goodman concert, but her boyfriend couldn’t make it. I had never heard of either musician, but I went to the concert with her. It was great, and I’ve been a fan of both ever since. Thanks, Sally!

[RightField]

I'm slipping way down memory lane with this thread...
John Prine
Steve Goodman
Steve Gillette
Jerry Jeff Walker

They were my favorites back in the day, and in that order.
Prayers up for Prine's recovery.

[ALASKA]

No one is reporting that, that I can find.

[The Fop]

With all due respect, there ain’t no substitute for vinyl for that style of music from that period

[silverleaf]

Shoulda blowed up the TV, throwed away the papers, moved to the country and bought him a home.

[The Fop]

LOL....I lost my virginity to a continuous 8 track tape!

[FirstFlaBn]

I recently transferred my favorites from vinyl to CD so I could play them in truck. The process is kind of a pain, so only my tippy toppest qualify. Prine made the list along with Early Beatles, Ronstadt, and Zevon.

Among many, here’s a bit from Prine’s song about love lost, Far From Me. Hang in there, John. I look forward to hearing a new song after this ordeal.

Well, I started the engine
And I gave it some gas
And Cathy was closing her purse
Well, we hadn’t gone far in my beat old car
And I was prepared for the worst
“Will you still see me tomorrow?”
“No, I got too much to do.”
Well, a question ain’t really a question
If you know the answer too

[catnipman]

“According to Trump at his presser today they are only testing 1100 people right now in NY.”

however, any doctor in the nation is legally and ethically allowed to prescribe these drugs for COVID-19, or any other purpose for that matter, except in Nevada and Michigan where the idiot governors outlawed it ...

[GOP Poet]

:(

[Salvavida]

Correct, got mixed up with Jan Howard.