John Prine, the widely respected songwriter whose chronicles of the human condition held sway over generations of songwriters, died Tuesday of complications from the coronavirus at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He was 73.

Prine was hospitalized on 3/26 with sudden onset of COVID-19 symptoms and was in critical condition on 3/28. Prine had recovered from battle with cancer in 1998, which led to him taking a year off to learn to perform again, and lung cancer in 2013. In the summer of 2019, he had to temporarily stop touring after doctors advised him he had an elevated risk for a stroke.

Prine received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award this year, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 and made it onto the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot as well. He was scheduled to resume touring on 5/22.

Coming of age in the post-Dylan era of songwriting, Prine married social commentary with humor over modern country and folk melodies. He wrote about what he saw in Chicago—the veterans with drug addictions, forgotten elderly people, the homeless and hopeless, people who missed out on the American dream. His songs were like short stories, detailed and realistic with unexpected dips and outcomes that separated him from the pack of ’70s songwriters who turned inward to explore universal truths.

“Prine’s stuff is pure Proustian existentialism,” Bob Dylan told The Huffington Post in 2009. “Midwestern mind-trips to the nth degree.”

During his DJ set on Sirius XM on Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen said, “John Prine was a sweet and lovely man, and I was proud to count him as my friend. He wrote music of towering compassion with an almost unheard of precision and creativity when it came to observing the fine details of ordinary lives. He was a writer of great humor, funny, with wry sensitivity. It has marked him as a complete original. His death just makes me angry. He was simply one of the best we had, and we will miss him.”

His early songs were better known for being recorded by others: “Hello in There” by Bette Midler, “Angel From by My Name” by David Allan Coe and John Denver’s renamed version of “Spanish Pipedream,” “Blow Up Your TV,” to name a few.

“One of the loveliest people I was ever lucky enough to know,” Midler tweeted after his illness was announced. “He is a genius and a huge soul.”

Songs on his first two albums such as “Sam Stone,” “Illegal Smile,” “Six O’Clock News” and “The Great Compromise” led critics to herald him as “the next Dylan.”

A letter carrier in Chicago in the 1960s after a stint in the Army, he was a member of the city’s bustling folk community that included Steve Goodman and Bonnie Koloc. Upon hearing him at a Chicago club, Kris Kristofferson remarked, “It must’ve been like stumbling onto Dylan when he first busted onto the Village scene.” Kristofferson then arranged for Prine to perform for record execs at New York’s Bitter End that resulted in a contract with Atlantic Records the day after the performance.

“There was a real innocence about that first album,” Prine told HITS’ Holly Gleason in 2018. “But as soon as the record companies get hold of you, that wonder’s gone! You have to come up with a different kind of good, especially since when I wrote those first songs I was afraid ‘Sam Stone’ was such a weird one, people might pass it off as just about a soldier with a hole in his arm.”

Prine recorded four albums for Atlantic between 1971 and 1975 before moving to Asylum for three albums between 1978 and 1980. While all were met with positive reviews—and included significant songs such as “Spanish Pipedream,” “Christmas in Prison,” “The Hobo Song,” and “Dear Abby,” plus his cover of Roly Salley’s “Killing the Blues”—none cracked the Top 100.

In 1984, Prine became one of the first established artists to create his own label, Oh Boy Records, and he would release a baker’s dozen albums, studio and live. His last release, 2018’s The Tree of Forgiveness, debuted at #5—a career peak—and received three Grammy nominations. It led to him performing in some of the largest venues in his career on a subsequent tour.

Prine won two Grammys, Best Contemporary Folk Album for 2005’s Fair & Square, and 1991’s The Missing Years.

"We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Prine," reads a quote from Warner Chappell heads Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall. "He was a legend whose uncanny ability to channel the human experience through the art of song influenced countless artists and inspired a legion of fans. His folk and country classics span decades and have become a revered part of the American musical canon. Warner Chappell is honored to be home to many of John's extraordinary songs, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."

“We join the world in mourning the passing of revered country and folk singer/songwriter John Prine,” said Recording Academy Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “Just recently, he was announced as a 2020 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his contributions to music during his nearly five-decade career. Widely lauded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, John’s impact will continue to inspire musicians for years to come. We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones.”

The Americana Music Association, which honored him with a tribute concert the night before the Grammys last year, named him Americana artist of the year in 2005, 2017 and 2018; BMI presented him with its second Troubadour Award; and PEN New England honored him with the Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award.

My heart hurts learning that John Prine has passed away. He is singing with the angels. You will be missed but your songs will live on. â¤ï¸
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) April 8, 2020

Our hearts are broken upon hearing the news of #JohnPrine's passing. Mr. Prine brought joy & music to countless fans in our pews over the years. We will miss him terribly.

Our staff adored Mr. Prine and send our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time. â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Q4b5Ff1UhY
— Ryman Auditorium (@theryman) April 8, 2020

Over here on E Street, we are crushed by the loss of John Prine. John and I were "New Dylans" together in the early 70s and he was never anything but the lovliest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family.
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) April 8, 2020

Heartbroken... My condolences to Fiona Prine and family on the passing of John Prine. pic.twitter.com/D6FZee9Syv
— Shemekia Copeland (@ShemekiaBlues) April 8, 2020

The great John Prine has passed away from the virus. He showed me how to “let it rip” when it comes to songwriting. There’s a huge hole in the music world tonight. John did it best. RIP -T
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) April 8, 2020

I’m heartbroken to hear of John Prine’s passing. Possibly the most humble man I’ve ever met. Prince, poet, postman & one hell of a great songwriter. World is a far lesser place with him not in it. Deepest condolences to his wife Fiona & family. Love & respect till my last breath. pic.twitter.com/hiw0eHw0ON
— willie nile (@willienile) April 8, 2020

ðŸ’” thank you for everything. One and only. #hellointhere #johnprine pic.twitter.com/kMBsRDMYwQ
— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) April 8, 2020

We lost a giant .. RIP @JohnPrineMusic pic.twitter.com/5g29fXP7CU
— Fantastic Negrito (@MusicNegrito) April 8, 2020

We lost a giant .. RIP @JohnPrineMusic pic.twitter.com/5g29fXP7CU
— Fantastic Negrito (@MusicNegrito) April 8, 2020

better at it than pretty much any of us. decades of service to song. this is a loss with no upside. goodbye John Prine, your voice will live on as long as there's people who need help, which is to say forever. https://t.co/e6GA633ntl
— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) April 8, 2020

John Prine . He done gone over to the Other side with Bill Withers, two of the Great Ones. How fortunate we all are to have witnessed the Humanity of these great men. We’re gonna miss these two. ðŸ™ -KMo@JohnPrineMusic pic.twitter.com/K0WUtT5vY3
— Keb' Mo' (@kebmomusic) April 8, 2020

RIP John Prine. Thanks for being so much more than we could ever deserve.
— Dawes (@dawestheband) April 8, 2020

He got up to sing at open mic night and he sang Hello In There and Angel From Montgomery. Those were his songs for open mic night. https://t.co/SIHsAgTif0
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) April 8, 2020

Today we lost John Prine and Hal Wilner. Two geniuses. The world got a little darker today. Blessings to their friends and families.
— Robbie Robertson (@r0bbier0berts0n) April 8, 2020

John Prine left a half century’s worth of poignant observations in songs that could somehow feel both topical and timeless. He connected to his audiences with masterful evocations of side splitting humor, studied empathy, quiet indignation, and occasionally, sheer devastation. pic.twitter.com/Z81MUVwx7S
— National Museum of American History (@amhistorymuseum) April 8, 2020

Yesterday the wonderful songwriter John Prine passed away. May he achieve eternal peace in God's light.

Prayers and love to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/UO4mIqTXOw
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) April 8, 2020