Singer-songwriter John Prine is in the hospital, critically ill with COVID-19.
His official Twitter account announced that he is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and had been brought to the hospital on Thursday and intubated on Saturday.
“This is hard news for us to share,” according to the post. “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.”
Fiona Whelan Prine, John's wife, shared on 19 March that she had coronavirus and that they were both in quarantine separately.
John Prine, 73, was given the Grammy award for best contemporary folk album in 1992 and 2006. He also received a lifetime achievement award this year. In 2019, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Well wishes
Joan Baez performed a cover of Prine’s 1971 song "Hello in There" as a tribute to the couple.
Celebrities such as Tim Heidecker, Patton Oswalt, Drive-By Truckers, and Bette Midler also expressed their support for Prine on Twitter. In her Tweet, Kacey Musgraves said: “To say he’s special to me is an extreme understatement.”
Meanwhile, Margo Price, who has performed and collaborated with Prine, recalled: “We sit around the fire again and pray for John Prine and listen to his songs and ask God for a little bit of mercy.”
Other musicians suffering from COVID-19
Aside from Prine, country artist Joe Diffie was tested positive for Covid-19 and passed away on 29 March. Several musicians paid tribute to Diffie. “Consistently one of the kindest artists to run into,” said country pop star Kelsea Ballerini in her Tweet.
“This is really heavy.” Jason Aldean Tweeted. “This guy was an amazing singer and an even greater person. Such a sad week for the country music world.”
Alan Merrill, who became popular for I Love Rock’n’Roll with his band the Arrows, also surrendered to coronavirus. His daughter Laura Merrill said on Facebook that she was given two minutes to say goodbye to her father in the hospital.
“He seemed peaceful and as I left there was still a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t be a ticker on the right-hand side of the CNN/Fox news screen. I walked 50 blocks home still with hope in my heart … By the time I got to my apartment I received the news that he was gone.”
Jett paid tribute to Merrill on Twitter: “I’ve just learned of the awful news that Alan Merrill has passed. My thoughts and love go to his family, friends and music community as a whole. I can still remember watching the Arrows on TV in London and being blown away by the song that screamed hit to me. With deep gratitude and sadness wishing him a safe journey to the other side.”
