Singer-songwriter John Prine dies

The man known as the Mark Twain of American songwriting, died Tuesday from COVID-19. John Prine was 73.

How did he come by his reputation? Prine’s folk-country songs captured the hardships and joys of daily life through the eyes of the people living them. He sang of a drug-addicted veteran in “Sam Stone,” a tired housewife in “Angel From Montgomery,” and a lonely, aging husband in “Hello in There.” Many artists covered his songs over the years, including Johnny Cash, John Denver, George Strait, Bonnie Raitt, and Norah Jones. His wife, Fiona, two sons Jack and Tommy, his stepson Jody, and three grandchildren survive him.

Dig deeper: Read Arsenio Orteza’s review of Prine’s final album, The Tree of Forgiveness.