Country stalwart Joe Diffie, has passed from COVID-19.
The Grammy-award winning musician passed away on Sunday, March 29th. He was 61. Diffie publicly announced his COVID-19 diagnosis on Friday, March 27th.
“Grammy-winning country music legend Joe Diffie passed away today, Sunday, March 29, from complications of coronavirus (COVID-19),” the statement read. “His family respects their privacy at this time.”
Throughout his illustrious career, the Oklahoma musician earned five Number One singles in the early nineties — ‘Home,’ ‘If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),’ ‘Third Rock From the Sun,’ ‘Pickup Man,’ and ‘Bigger Than the Beatles.’ In addition, Diffie achieved 18 Top Ten singles, including 1993 hits ‘Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)’ and ‘John Deere Green.’
Watch: Joe Diffie – ‘Pickup Man’
Diffie was the first notable country artist to go public with his COVID-19 diagnosis.
“I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment,” Diffie shared in a statement on Instagram. “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.”
I just learned that @JoeDiffieOnline has passed away due to complications from the Coronavirus. Joe was a friend and touring partner with me in the 90’s. This comes as a huge shock to all of us in the country music community. Deepest condolences to Joe’s family, friends and fans.
Love The Beatles?
Get the latest The Beatles news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) March 29, 2020
2020… damn. RIP Pickup Man. So sad. We lost Joe Diffie
— Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) March 29, 2020
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
https://twitter.com/MorganWallen/status/1244354363017105416