John Prine mural

The John Prine tribute mural at 1717 East 39th Avenue in Denver's Cole neighbourhood was painted in May 2021, about thirteen months after Prine's death from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020. It was commissioned by Oh Boy! Records, the independent label Prine co-founded, as a tribute to his life and work. The large-format exterior mural was created by Denver artists Lindz and Lamb in collaboration with the artist JUST, on one of the historic brick buildings of the former Denver Rock Drill Manufacturing Company campus at the northern edge of the RiNo Art District.

John Prine (1946-2020) is widely regarded as one of the great American singer-songwriters. He grew up in Maywood, Illinois, delivered mail as a young man in Chicago, and began playing open mics after returning from the Army. His 1971 debut album contained 'Sam Stone', 'Angel from Montgomery', 'Hello in There', and 'Paradise' -- four songs that would have made any songwriter's entire career. He wrote conversationally, with compassion and dark humour, about ordinary people, and his influence on subsequent generations of American songwriting is immeasurable.

The mural remains in place on the Denver Rock Drill campus, which is subject to a redevelopment project known as Rock Drill RiNo. The future of individual murals within the redevelopment is not confirmed, so visitors should verify before making a dedicated trip. Prine won two Grammy Awards during his lifetime and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, just two weeks before his death.