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Country singer Joe Diffie dead at 61 of coronavirus complications

Joe Diffie
Al Wagner/Al Wagner/Invision/AP
FILE - This Aug. 22, 2018 file photo shows Joe Diffie performing at the 12th annual ACM Honors in Nashville, Tenn. A publicist for Diffie says the country singer has tested positive for COVID-19. Diffie is under the care of medical professionals and is receiving treatment. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP, File)
Joe Diffie
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NEW YORK -- Country singer Joe Diffie, who had a string of hits in the 1990s with chart-topping, rock-tinged singles such as “Home” and “Pickup Man” has died after testing positive for COVID-19. He was 61.

A spokesman for Diffie on Friday announced he had contracted the coronavirus, becoming the first country star to go public with such a diagnosis.

Diffie's publicist said the singer died Sunday due to complications from the virus. Diffie was a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 25 years. His hits included “Honkey Tonk Attitude" and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)."

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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