The influential musician was 73

Last week brought the sad news that country music star John Prine was in a very serious condition in hospital after contracting the coronavirus.

Sadly, the 73-year-old - whose wife Fiona is Irish and who had a home in Kinvara, Co. Galway - died from complications of the virus yesterday. He had developed pneumonia in both lungs and had been intubated in recent days.

Prine led a fascinating life, which saw him serve in the US army in West Germany during the Vietnam War era. Upon his return to the States, he was discovered by Kris Kristoffersson (although Prine himself credited film critic Roger Ebert with giving him hus big break) and began his recording career with a debut album in 1971.

In the latter part of his life he suffered several health problems, including cancer of the neck in the late 1990s and lung cancer in 2013, both of which he recovered from. His last Irish gig was at Dublin's National Concert Hall in 2018.

Prine was cited as as influence by a multitude of artists from various genres, and was known for his songs 'Speed of the Sound of Loneliness', 'Angel from Montgomery' and 'Sam Stone'.

He is survived by his wife Fiona and their three sons, Jody, Tommy and Jack.

Many fans and artists have been paying tribute to him on social media, some of which you can see below.

RIP.