John Prine

John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for his signature blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often with elements of social commentary and satire, as well as sweet songs and melancholy ballads. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death. Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Prine learned to play the guitar at age 14. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. After serving in West Germany with the U.S. Army, he returned to Chicago in the late 1960s, where he worked as a mailman, writing and singing songs first as a hobby. Continuing studies at the Old Town School, he performed at a student hang-out, the nearby Fifth Peg. A laudatory review by Roger Ebert put Prine on the map. Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson heard Prine at Steve Goodman's insistence, and Kristofferson invited Prine to be his opening act. Prine released his eponymous debut album in 1971. Featuring such songs as "Paradise", "Sam Stone" and "Angel from Montgomery", it has been hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time. The acclaim Prine earned from his debut led to three more albums for Atlantic Records. Common Sense (1975) was his first to chart on the Billboard U.S. Top 100. He then recorded three albums with Asylum Records. In 1981, he co-founded Oh Boy Records, an independent label which released all of his music up until his death. His final album, 2018's The Tree of Forgiveness, debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, his highest ranking on the charts. Prine struggled with health issues throughout his life, surviving cancer twice. He died in 2020 from complications caused by COVID-19. Earlier the same year, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings (Deluxe Edition) - 2025-09-12T00:00:00.000000Z

Live At The Other End, Dec 1975 - 2021-07-17T00:00:00.000000Z

Crooked Piece of Time: The Atlantic & Asylum Albums (1971-1980) - 2020-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z

Sweet Revenge: The Early Years - 2018-05-19T00:00:00.000000Z

The Tree of Forgiveness - 2018-04-12T00:00:00.000000Z

September 78 - 2017-10-27T00:00:00.000000Z

Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams - 2017-05-26T00:00:00.000000Z

For Better, Or Worse - 2016-09-30T00:00:00.000000Z

The Singing Mailman Delivers - 2011-09-09T00:00:00.000000Z

In Person & On Stage (Live) - 2010-05-25T00:00:00.000000Z

Standard Songs for Average People - 2007-04-24T00:00:00.000000Z

Fair and Square - 2005-04-26T00:00:00.000000Z

Souvenirs - 2000-10-31T00:00:00.000000Z

In Spite Of Ourselves - 1999-09-14T00:00:00.000000Z

Live On Tour - 1997-04-08T00:00:00.000000Z

Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings - 1995-04-04T00:00:00.000000Z

A John Prine Christmas - 1993-06-01T00:00:00.000000Z

The Missing Years - 1991-09-03T00:00:00.000000Z

Aimless Love - 1989-05-09T00:00:00.000000Z

John Prine (Live) - 1988-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z

German Afternoons - 1986-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Storm Windows - 1980-10-30T00:00:00.000000Z

Pink Cadillac - 1979-11-29T00:00:00.000000Z

Bruised Orange - 1970-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Prime Prine - 1970-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z