All-star John Prine tribute concert coming to Chicago Theatre
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John Prine performs on stage at the Park West in 1978. Photo: Paul Natkin/Getty Images
A star-studded lineup is coming together in Chicago to honor the late folk musician John Prine.
The latest: "Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine" will take place Oct. 8 at The Chicago Theatre — two days before what would have been Prine's 80th birthday.
- The show will be hosted by actor John C. Reilly and feature performances from Steve Earle, Jon Langford, Shemekia Copeland, Ratboys, Amos Lee, Joy Oladokun, Margo Price and more.
- Prine's longtime backing band will also perform.
Zoom out: While the concert will serve as the centerpiece, other Chicago institutions are teaming up with the Prine family's Hello in There Foundation to organize additional programming and events throughout the weekend.
Flashback: Prine was born in Maywood and became both a staple of Chicago's legendary folk music scene and one of America's most beloved singer-songwriters.
- He died from complications from COVID-19 in April 2020.
- Prine won four Grammy Awards, including two posthumous honors in 2021. He also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 and was named Illinois' honorary poet laureate that same year.
If you go: General ticket sales begin Friday. An artist presale starts at 10am Wednesday, while the Old Town School of Folk Music will host its own presale beginning at 10am Thursday.
What's next: On May 29, the Prine family will host a virtual premiere of "You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine," a film capturing the 2022 tribute concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
- The film will be available on demand through May 31.