Country music singer Joe Diffie passed away Sunday after battling complications from the coronavirus. He was 61.
Diffie was a Grammy award-winning artist and 25-year member of the Grand Ole Opry who was known for his hits in the 1990s like “Pickup Man,” “John Deere Green” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.” His death brought out a swarm of remembrances from music fans and fellow artists through social media.
Charlie Daniels tweeted, “Just got word that Joe Diffie has passed away… Sincere condolences to his family. It’s such a shock and such a loss for Country Music
Rest In Peace Joe”
Just got word that Joe Diffie has passed away.
Sincere condolences to his family
It’s such a shock and such a loss for Country Music
Rest In Peace Joe— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) March 29, 2020
Trace Adkins wrote, “Oh my God. One of the all-time GREAT vocalists. Joe Diffie was my friend. RIP, buddy.”
Travis Tritt tweeted and also wrote on Instagram, “This is one of my favorite photos of Joe Diffie and me onstage together. This photo hangs in my office to this day. #ripjoediffie I will never forget you!”
The Eli Young Band tweeted, “Rest In Peace Joe Diffie! You were one of the most iconic and distinct voices on country radio. You will be missed by so many.”
Rest In Peace Joe Diffie! You were one of the most iconic and distinct voices on country radio. You will be missed by so many. pic.twitter.com/gRRpLxhSWD
— Eli Young Band (@EliYoungBand) March 29, 2020
Collin Raye tweeted, “I am deeply saddened at the news of Joe Diffie’s death. He and I were label mates on SONY Epic Records for many years… I am honored & humbled, to have known him. May God bless and comfort Joe’s family and welcome him into Eternity. We’ll miss you, Brother. -Collin”
I am deeply saddened at the news of Joe Diffie’s death. He and I were label mates on SONY Epic Records for many years… I am honored & humbled, to have known him. May God bless and comfort Joe’s family and welcome him into Eternity. We’ll miss you, Brother. -Collin pic.twitter.com/9FvDNOW4IF
— Collin Raye (@CollinRaye) March 29, 2020
Jamie Brooks from Florida State University posted a photo of a water tower with the saying, “Billy Bob Loves Charlene,” which is a line from John Deere Green.
Bobby Bones wrote, “RIP to the great Joe Diffie. We became buds over the last couple of years. It’s always great getting to know the people you were a fan of as a kid. That was absolutely the case w JD. Joe died of Coronavirus complications”
RIP to the great Joe Diffie . We became buds over the last couple of years . It’s always great getting to know the people you were a fan of as a kid. That was absolutely the case w JD. Joe died of Coronavirus complications pic.twitter.com/uBZ0hw9kYQ
— Bobby Bones (@mrBobbyBones) March 29, 2020
John Michael Montgomery added on Twitter, “Just found out the very sad news about my buddy #JoeDiffie passing away from complications of COVID-19.
This is so heartbreaking, I just don’t even know what to say. GOD BLESS his family and loved ones. A sad, sad day for country music. Rest In Peace.”
Just found out the very sad news about my buddy #JoeDiffie passing away from complications of COVID-19.
This is so heartbreaking, I just don’t even know what to say. GOD BLESS his family and loved ones. A sad, sad day for country music. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/ausMDxzd8F
— John Michael Montgomery (@JM2Squared) March 29, 2020
The Oak Ridge Boys called Diffie’s death “a tough one.”
COVID-19 is the official name of coronavirus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Since then, there have been more than 715,000 people worldwide who tested positive and more than 33,000 deaths. There have been 167,000 recoveries.
The United States leads all countries with nearly 140,000 positive cases, and the U.S. has nearly 2,500 deaths related to coronavirus.
