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In reply to the discussion: John Prine has died [View all]klook
(12,171 posts)As a two-time cancer survivor, he beat the odds by living as long as he did, I suppose. But I would have preferred he stick around another decade or two.
I got to see him live a few years ago. Despite the challenges post-neck surgery, he was still an engaging performer. And of course he was one of the greatest songwriters America has produced. I loved him in Daddy and Them, too.
I first learned of John Prine about 45 years ago, when a friend told me about going to see him sing. She was an early fan and thrilled to have seen him. She told the story of how, after intermission, he explained to the audience what happened to his boutonnière. "Y'all may be wondering what happened to the flower in my lapel. Well, I was standing in a stall in the men's room, and right after I flushed, it just came right off and went into the commode. I just stood there and watched it swirl down and out of sight." He looked down for a second, then back up, and said, "Kinda humbling."
Even though I'd never cared much for country-ish or folkie music, I decided this was a guy I needed to check out.