Joe Diffie, Nineties Country's 'Pickup Man,' Dead at 61 From Coronavirus

[DinahMoeHum]

Last edited Sun Mar 29, 2020, 06:46 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/

Joe Diffie, a consistent country-music hitmaker throughout the Nineties, died Sunday due to complications related to COVID-19. His publicist confirmed the death to Rolling Stone. Diffie was 61.

With a traditional-leaning voice that drew comparisons to George Jones, Diffie populated his records with honky-tonk ballads and lighthearted novelty tunes, earning the Oklahoma native five Number One singles in the first half of the Nineties. These began with his debut release, the deeply moving “Home,” followed by “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Pickup Man,” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.” In all, Diffie charted 18 Top Ten singles, with the majority reaching the Top Five, including the 1993 radio staples “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” and “John Deere Green.”

RIP, Joe. Having a stiff drink tonight by the "jukebox" tonight in your memory.

#newrostrong

[bmbmd]

1. I ain't afraid of dying

It’s the thought of being dead. RIP.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Damn shame

I vaguely remember him from the "new country" trend in the 90s. He was a year younger than me.