John Edward Prine was a highly influential American singer-songwriter renowned for his contributions to country-folk music. His songwriting, spanning from the 1970s until his death, characteristically blended humor and poignancy. Prine's lyrics often explored themes of love, life, and current events, seamlessly weaving in social commentary and satire. Beyond songwriting, he was a recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor.
October 10, 1946: Birth of John Prine
On October 10, 1946, John Edward Prine was born in Maywood, Illinois.
1966: First Marriage to Ann Carole
John Prine married his high school sweetheart, Ann Carole, in 1966. Their marriage lasted until the late 1970s.
1970: Early Performances and Critical Acclaim
In 1970, Prine's talent as a songwriter was recognized when renowned Chicago Sun-Times movie critic Roger Ebert, impressed by his performance at the Fifth Peg, wrote a glowing review, further propelling Prine's burgeoning career.
1971: Meeting Kris Kristofferson
A pivotal moment in 1971 occurred when fellow singer-songwriter Steve Goodman, recognizing Prine's talent, arranged for Kris Kristofferson to see him perform. Kristofferson was blown away by Prine's songwriting, likening the experience to discovering Bob Dylan.
1971: John Prine Releases Debut Album
In 1971, John Prine released his self-titled debut album with Atlantic Records, which garnered widespread acclaim and established his presence in the folk music scene.
1971: Release of Debut Album
John Prine released his self-titled debut album in 1971.
1971: Debut Album and Recognition by Bob Dylan
John Prine's self-titled debut album was released in 1971, featuring iconic songs that cemented his place in music history. Notably, Bob Dylan himself attended one of Prine's early performances in New York City, anonymously accompanying him on harmonica.
1973: "Sweet Revenge" Released
In 1973, John Prine released his album "Sweet Revenge."
1974: "You Never Even Call Me by My Name" Success
In 1974, singer David Allan Coe achieved significant success with the song "You Never Even Call Me by My Name," co-written by Prine and Goodman. The song humorously parodied country music clichés.
1975: "Common Sense" Released
Prine's album "Common Sense," produced by Steve Cropper, was released in 1975.
1975: "Common Sense" Charts on Billboard Top 100
In 1975, Prine's album "Common Sense" marked his first entry on the Billboard U.S. Top 100 chart.
1975: Touring with Arlen Roth
In 1975, Prine embarked on a tour across the U.S. and Canada, accompanied by a full band featuring the renowned guitarist Arlen Roth.
1978: "Bruised Orange" Released
In 1978, the Steve Goodman-produced album "Bruised Orange" was released.
1979: "Pink Cadillac" and Collaboration with Sam Phillips
Prine's 1979 album "Pink Cadillac" featured a notable collaboration with Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records. Phillips, known for his minimalist production style, produced two songs on the album: "Saigon" and "How Lucky."
1981: Oh Boy Records Founded
In 1981, John Prine, disillusioned with the traditional music industry model, decided to take a bold step by co-founding his own independent record label, Oh Boy Records, in Nashville, Tennessee.
1981: Founding of Oh Boy Records
In 1981, seeking greater artistic control and ownership, Prine co-founded the independent record label Oh Boy Records.
1984: Tribute to Steve Goodman
Following Steve Goodman's passing in 1984, Prine paid tribute to his friend and musical collaborator by contributing four tracks to the album "A Tribute to Steve Goodman."
1984: Second Marriage to Rachel Peer
John Prine married Rachel Peer, a bassist, in 1984. Their marriage ended in 1988.
1988: Meeting Fiona Whelan
John Prine met Fiona Whelan in 1988, who would later become his manager and, eventually, his wife.
1991: Release of "The Missing Years"
In 1991, John Prine released "The Missing Years," a Grammy-winning album produced in collaboration with Howie Epstein. The title track humorously explores the undocumented period in Jesus's life.
1993: Fiona Whelan Moves to Nashville
Fiona Whelan relocated from Ireland to Nashville in 1993, marking a significant step in her relationship with John Prine.
1995: Release of "Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings"
John Prine released "Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings" in 1995, again collaborating with Howie Epstein. This album featured "Lake Marie," a notable track with spoken-word elements, which later became a favorite of Bob Dylan.
1996: Third Marriage to Fiona Whelan
John Prine and Fiona Whelan married in 1996, solidifying their relationship after several years together. They went on to have two sons, Jack and Tommy, and Prine adopted Whelan's son, Jody, from a previous relationship.
1998: Squamous-Cell Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
John Prine faced a serious health challenge in 1998 when he was diagnosed with squamous-cell cancer in his neck. He underwent surgery and radiation therapy, which impacted his voice, adding a gravelly tone that became part of his signature sound.
1999: Release of "In Spite of Ourselves"
Breaking from his usual style, John Prine released "In Spite of Ourselves" in 1999. The album featured mostly classic country covers, with the exception of the original title track. It featured duets with renowned female country artists like Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, and Iris DeMent.
1999: Release of "In Spite of Ourselves"
In 1999, John Prine released "In Spite of Ourselves," an album that marked a departure from his usual style. It predominantly featured covers of classic country songs and included collaborations with well-known female country artists.
2001: Appearance in "Daddy & Them"
In 2001, John Prine appeared in a supporting role in the Billy Bob Thornton film "Daddy & Them." Notably, his song "In Spite of Ourselves" was included in the end credits.
2004: Grammy Award for "Beautiful Dreamer"
John Prine's recording of Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" was featured on the 2004 compilation album "Beautiful Dreamer." The album went on to win a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album.
2005: Release of "Fair & Square"
John Prine released "Fair & Square" in 2005, marking his first album of entirely new material since "Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings." The album, leaning towards a more relaxed acoustic style, won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. It featured original songs along with covers of A.P. Carter and Blaze Foley.
2005: Americana Music Honors & Awards Win
John Prine won his first Artist of the Year award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards in 2005.
2008: Roger Waters Praises John Prine's Songwriting
In 2008, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters praised John Prine's songwriting in an interview with Word Magazine, ranking him among the five most important songwriters and comparing his eloquent music to that of Neil Young and John Lennon.
2009: Bob Dylan Praises John Prine's Songwriting
Bob Dylan lauded John Prine's songwriting in 2009, referring to his work as "pure Proustian existentialism" and praising his ability to write deeply evocative and uniquely American stories.
June 22, 2010: Release of Tribute Album "Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows"
Oh Boy Records released "Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine," a tribute album, on June 22, 2010. The album showcased interpretations of Prine's songs by contemporary folk artists such as My Morning Jacket, The Avett Brothers, Conor Oberst, and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.
2013: Lung Cancer Surgery and Recovery
John Prine underwent surgery in 2013 to combat lung cancer. His recovery included a unique physical therapy regimen where he would run up and down stairs and sing, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to his craft.
2016: PEN/Song Lyrics Award and Release of "For Better, or Worse"
John Prine received the PEN/Song Lyrics Award in 2016, an honor he shared with Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. That same year, he released "For Better, or Worse," a follow-up to his 1999 album "In Spite of Ourselves." The album featured covers of country songs, highlighting prominent female vocalists in the genre.
2016: American Currents Class of 2016
The American Currents Class of 2016 recognized John Prine for his significant contribution to country music that year.
March 15, 2017: American Currents Exhibit and Americana Music Honors & Awards
The Country Music Hall of Fame's American Currents exhibit, which opened on March 15, 2017, featured items from John Prine's career. In the same year, Prine won his second Artist of the Year award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, adding to his previous win in 2005.
February 8, 2018: Announcement and Release of "The Tree of Forgiveness"
On February 8, 2018, John Prine announced his first album of original material in 13 years, "The Tree of Forgiveness." Produced by Dave Cobb and featuring artists like Jason Isbell and Brandi Carlile, the album was released on April 13th and became Prine's highest-charting release on the Billboard 200.
2018: Release of "Tree of Forgiveness"
In 2018, John Prine released "Tree of Forgiveness", his last album before his death.
2018: "The Tree of Forgiveness" Achieves Chart Success
In 2018, Prine's album "The Tree of Forgiveness" achieved a significant milestone by debuting at #5 on the Billboard 200, marking his highest-ever ranking on the charts.
2019: Final Recording Session with Swamp Dogg
John Prine participated in his final recording session in 2019, collaborating with his longtime friend Swamp Dogg. During this session, they recorded several tracks, including "Please Let Me Go 'Round Again," a song that reflects on the end of life.
March 19, 2020: Fiona Prine Tests Positive for COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic surged in the United States, John Prine's wife, Fiona, tested positive for the virus on March 19, 2020, and began isolating at home.
April 7, 2020: Death of John Prine
On April 7, 2020, John Prine passed away due to complications from COVID-19.
June 11, 2020: Tribute Concert "A Tribute Celebrating John Prine"
A two-hour television special, "A Tribute Celebrating John Prine," aired on June 11, 2020. The special featured performances by numerous artists, including Sturgill Simpson, Vince Gill, and Kacey Musgraves, honoring Prine's life and career.
June 12, 2020: Release of "I Remember Everything"
"I Remember Everything," the last song John Prine recorded before his death, was released on June 12, 2020, accompanied by a music video.
2020: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Death
In 2020, John Prine's enduring legacy as a songwriter was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Sadly, this recognition came shortly before his death from complications caused by COVID-19 in the same year.