Joe Diffie dies aged 61 from COVID-19 complications
The country singer announced he tested positive two days before his death.
Photo: Suzi Pratt / Film Magic
Grammy-award winning country star Joe Diffie has died following complications from COVID-19. He was 61 years old. News of his death came two days after his initial announcement of testing positive for the disease.
On 27 March, Diffie released a statement through his publicist, John Adkins’ website, informing fans that he had tested positive for COVID-19:
“I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment. My family and I are asking for privacy at this time. We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”
Two days later, Adkins released a brief statement announcing that Diffie had passed on in Nashville.
Diffie is best remembered for songs like Honky Tonk Attitude, Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die), and Third Rock From The Sun. In his lifetime, he put out 12 studio albums, and has enjoyed five No.1 hits. He was also known for being a long-time member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Friends and fellow country musicians have all taken to social media to share messages of remembrance, and pay tribute to the fallen country star.
Brad Paisley, a fellow member of The Grand Ole Opry shared this performance with Diffie, saying: “I can’t find adequate words. But the records he made, that voice, the twinkle in his eye, and our memories cannot be taken away by this disease”.
Singer/guitarist Keith Urban has also addressed the late musician in a facebook post calling Diffie “the real deal”.
In recent news, musician Alan Merrill has also died due to coronavirus. He is most remembered as the co-writer of the song I Love Rock And Roll.
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