Country Star Joe Diffie Dies From Coronavirus At 61, Singers Pay Tribute
Country music singer Joe Diffie died on Sunday from complications related to coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a press release from his spokesperson. He was 61.
Diffie was one of the most popular country singers of the 90s. He had 20 Top 10 country hits, with five that went all the way to No. 1. His top hits include “Bigger Than The Beatles,” “Third Rock From The Sun,” “Pickup Man,” “Home” and “If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets).” He also wrote songs for stars like Tim McGraw, Conway Twitty and Jo Dee Messina.
Diffie, a Tulsa, Oklahoma native, was a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 25 years. The Grand Ole Opry also lost Jan Howard this week. She was 91. The country music community also lost Kenny Rogers last week. He was 81.
Joe Diffie Songs
Fans have been sharing lyrics to Diffie’s hit “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” on social media to remember the singer.
Diffie’s legacy had already been memorialized in song form by Jason Aldean in the song “1994” and by Chris Young in his song “Raised On Country.”
“1994, Joe Diffie comin’ out my radio/ I’m just a country boy with a farmer’s tan/So help me girl I’ll be your Pick-Up Man,” sings Aldean in his song, in reference to Diffie’s song “Pick-Up Man.”
“I was raised on Merle, raised on Willie/Got my Honky Tonk attitude from Joe Diffie/Daddy did too, it’s family tradition,” sings Young in his song.
Country music stars remembered their friend and mentor on social media on Sunday:
Man what a week Kenny Rogers and now @JoeDiffieOnline. This guy was an amazing singer and an even greater person. Such a sad week for the country music world. Joe was always so much fun to be around and I will never forget our Panama City show with @tylerfarr and @tracy_lawrence. pic.twitter.com/nUvqsDzsBj
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) March 30, 2020
Absolutely no words for the loss of Joe Diffie. The music and legacy he leaves behind are legendary. Prayers for his family and friends. 💔
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) March 29, 2020
RIP @JoeDiffieOnline – TeamCDB/BW #RIP pic.twitter.com/fujxFvoKOs
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) March 29, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VN3LwBpIt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I’m devastated by the loss of my friend @JoeDiffieOnline. 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.
Please celebrate his music today everyone, go listen again to his records. pic.twitter.com/OYiyPTbLCy— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) March 29, 2020
I used to drive back and forth from Texas to TN listening to nothing but @JoeDiffieOnline songs… I was lucky to get to know him… #RIP
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) March 29, 2020
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