Irish fans have paid tribute to ‘gifted’ singer-songwriter John Prine who passed away aged 73.
Prine had been committed to hospital in Nashville on March 26 suffering from symptoms of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to his wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, who was also his manager.
Prine's management confirmed his passing on Tuesday, with the singer being hailed as "one of America's greatest songwriters," in tributes from fellow artists.
The singer was married to Fiona, a native of Ireland whom he married in 1996.
He met her in Ireland and they had a cottage in Kinvara, Co Galway, where they spent a lot of time.
The first time he headed to the west of Ireland was in the mid 80s and he fell in love with the landscape.
Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute.
He said: “ 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.”
Cat Stevens said: “Yesterday the wonderful songwriter John Prine passed away. May he achieve eternal peace in God's light.
“Prayers and love to his family and friends. Fans took to social media with their memories of John.
Ingrid Miley said: “So sorry about the passing of John Prine. “Had the privilege of meeting him on a number of occasions when he was in Ireland and he was a complete gentleman. “What a loss. RIP.”
Tommy Shields posted on Twitter: “Rip John Prine one of the greatest ever singer songwriters .
“A man who loved Ireland and lived here with his Wife from Ardara in Kinvara for part of the year.”
Maire Ni Chinneide said: “So sad to hear of the passing of John Prine. “I had the privilege of hearing him in concert in recent years in an intimate gig in the beautiful Theatre Royal, Waterford, Ireland.
“It is a night that will last in my memory. R.I.P. gentle soul.”
He tweeted: "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."
Country music star Sheryl Crow said Prine's music would endure.
She tweeted: "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."
Ryan Peake, from the band Nickelback, said on the group's Twitter account: "Sad news about John Prine. Amazing songwriter and musician. It's a big loss to the music industry. Bill Withers and John Prine in a week. Goddamn it."
Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi said: "RIP John Prine. This sucks."
And actress Rosanna Arquette shared a playlist of Prine's music and wrote: "God bless you John Prine rest in power.
Prine was born in Maywood, Illinois, and learned to play the guitar at the age of 14. After returning from West Germany where he served in the US military, Prine moved to Chicago and began writing songs.
Critical acclaim soon followed and he released his self-titled debut album in 1971.
Over his more than 50-year career, Prine is considered one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, known throughout his more than 50-year-career for lyrics about love and life and for his social commentary.
Prine had survived cancer twice, most recently diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 which led to a surgical removal of part of his lung.
He had stent surgery in 2019 and this year he postponed dates of his tour to undergo hip surgery.
