Watch John Prine performing one of the reasons I will never forget him

I will always remember the five minutes I spent with the funny and mournful John Prine who has died due to complications from coronavirus. (see video inside).

He was 73 years old.

Prine had been in hospital in Nashville since last week with coronavirus symptoms, with his wife and manager, Fiona Whelan Prine, posting updates about his condition online.

I met him briefly… he was touring the UK with Nanci Griffiths. It was many years ago now and I had just witnessed them performing a beautiful version of Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.

When we met after the show, Nanci was smiley and reserved and Prine was husky and funny, sharing tales of his rumbustious life on the road and while making records… he told about spending days making an album, then forgetting all about it.

“We were all so high,” he said.

But Prine was revered by his peers including Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.

He also said that his success was down to luck. “And when the luck and timing comes along, you’ve got to have the goods.”

It was a good meeting which lasted barely five minutes. But I will always remember him.

Following news of his tragic death, many musical icons and fans alike have taken to social media to voice their sadness and share their condolences with his loved ones.