Joe Diffie: Dead Due to the Coronavirus
“The Pickup Man” Joe Diffie has died due to complications from the Coronavirus. After announcing on Friday, March 27th that he had contracted COVID-19 and was receiving treatment for the illness, his publicist and family have confirmed that he passed away on Sunday, March 29th. He was 61-years-old.
Though his stint in the spotlight of commercial country was short, few burned as bright as Joe Diffie in the mid 90’s, with his music becoming synonymous with the era. Five #1 hits, and thirteen Top 5 songs were charted by Diffie in just five years, and were capped off by his 1994 Platinum-certified record Third Rock From The Sun. With his unmistakable mullet and easy attitude, he became a relatable star compared to some of the bigger arena acts of the era. An everyman of country music, his mix of novelty songs along with sincere ballads brought him a wide audience and mutual respect as a neotraditionalist of the era.
Born Joseph Logan Diffie in December 28th, 1958 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he came from a musical family with both his father and aunt working as musicians. He moved around a lot early in his life, including to Texas, Washington State, and Wisconsin, but settled back in Oklahoma and attended Cameron University in Lawton where he was smart enough to consider attending medical school, but instead dropped out, started working odd jobs, and joined a bluegrass band called Special Edition.
Soon Joe Diffie was sending demo tapes to Nashville and elsewhere, trying to bust into the music business. An aging Hank Thompson recorded his song “Love On The Rocks,” but that about as far as he got. Frustrated and wanting to pursue music full time, he divorced his wife at the time, and eventually moved to Nashville to pursue his musical dream.
Before Joe Diffie would take off as an entertainer, songs he wrote began to appear on the records of artists such as Alabama and Ricky Van Shelton. When Holly Dunn had a Top 5 hit with “There Goes My Heart Again” co-written and co-sung by Joe Diffie, his career took off, and he was shortly signed to Epic records in early 1990.
The success Joe Diffie would enjoy for the next half decade would be somewhat overshadowed by other superstars, but while the greater country music public was eating up Garth Books, Joe Diffie was the guy middle America couldn’t get enough of. Similar to the title of his second record Average Joe, Diffie felt like your funny next door neighbor, and right about the time you were disarmed, hit you with something more sincere. His first ever single “Home” went straight to #1 and helped define his career, but so did songs such as his last #1, “Bigger Than The Beatles” off his album Life’s So Funny that had people enjoying the more lighthearted side of his material.
But soon Joe Diffie became a product of his time, and the hits were harder to come by, though he continued to chart singles into the early 2000’s, and his core fans continued to support him. He became a bit typecast where if he released a serious song, people wanted him to be funny. And if he released a funny song, people felt he wasn’t to be taken seriously anymore. But he continued to play and perform, going back to his roots and releasing a bluegrass record in 2010 for Rounder Records. Joe Diffie was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 25 years, and remained well-regarded throughout the country music community.
In recent years with the retro nature of music, there has been a resurgence of interest in the songs of Joe Diffie since he’s so synonymous with the 1990’s, and his work has proved to withstand the test of time. Jason Aldean’s song “1994” from 2012 may not enjoy the same fate, but the pseudo-tribute to Joe Diffie resonated with many due to the recall of so many of Joe’s greatest hits, including “John Deere Green,” “Ships That Don’t Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude,” and of course “Pickup Man,” which gave Diffie his nickname and biggest hit of his career. At the time of his death, Diffie was readying the release of a comeback record called I Got This on Silverado Records.
Joe Diffie’s passing hits home with many country fans, and with many worried about the impact of the Coronavirus. With the first high-profile death from the disease in country music, and in the popular music world in general, it resonates and increases the concern as the World sits in lock down, waiting for the pandemic to pass.
In his 1993 hit “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die),” Joe Diffie gives a satirical recitation of his final wishes. “I’ll be the life of the party, even when I’m dead and gone,” Diffie sings. And he will be, due to the everlasting contribution of his music.
Jon
March 29, 2020 @ 1:33 pm
Now this virus has gone too far. I’ll miss Diffie.
Blake
March 29, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
Terrible. I grew up listening to his stuff and he is still someone I listen to regularly, what a shame.
Raymond
March 29, 2020 @ 1:35 pm
Really enjoyed his music, my favorite was “Ships Come In”. My heartfelt condolences go out to him and his family. RIP Joe!
Jason
March 29, 2020 @ 1:35 pm
I was born in 88 so I grew up on Joe Diffie. John Deere Green was my favorite and to this day I still get a kick out of it.
A very underrated song of his is “in another world” check it out
R.I.P Joe
Cody
March 29, 2020 @ 1:41 pm
“Is it cold in here” is one of my favorite country songs. He will be missed.
Steve
March 29, 2020 @ 1:42 pm
I still think some of his best work was two ballads he put out late in his commercial career, “A Night to Remember” and “In Another World.”
Kevin Davis
March 29, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
“…his music becoming synonymous with the era…An everyman of country music…”
Well said, Trigger. I am heartbroken. I grew-up on Joe Diffie. I am not an overly emotional sort of guy, but this hurts. Rest with the Lord, Joe.
Cameron
March 29, 2020 @ 1:55 pm
RIP…..playing John Deere Green with a tear in my eye.
Brendan
March 29, 2020 @ 1:56 pm
I came for the kitschy hits “Third Rock,” “John Deere Green,” “Pickup Man,” and “If the Devil Danced” I stayed for “Ships that Don’t Come In,” “Old Flame,” and “A Night to Remember.” However, though I didn’t realize it for years, his best song was “Home.” And it’s not particularly close. I will miss Joe and regret not seeing him in concert.
MichaelA
March 29, 2020 @ 4:42 pm
Amen on Home. I was living in Philadelphia Pa at the time and that song reminded me of my childhood and being so far from it especially during my Rodney-King-related experiences in West Philly. For whatever reason, 92.5 XTU played it on the weekends, but not weekdays. I looked forward to my Sunday runs because I knew at some point XTU would likely play it.
RIP, Joe Diffie. Thank you for your music.
Luckyoldsun
March 29, 2020 @ 11:18 pm
Rodney King-related experiences in West Philly??
Were you pulled out of a truck, like Reginald Denny?
Bad One
March 29, 2020 @ 2:01 pm
well, shit.
Wesley Gray
March 29, 2020 @ 2:01 pm
Well I know who I’m listening to today while I’m locked inside playing minecraft and drinking beer. rest in power, Joe 😔
OlaR
March 29, 2020 @ 2:10 pm
Thank you for the music Pickup Man.
DJ
March 29, 2020 @ 2:57 pm
Pickup man was terrific!
Chris
March 29, 2020 @ 3:56 pm
Terrible news. RIP Joe.
Marc
March 29, 2020 @ 2:12 pm
Vocally I think Joe was underappreciated. My favorite is “Coolest Fool in Town”. RIP Joe Diffie
Keepin it Country
March 29, 2020 @ 2:14 pm
Rip Joe Diffe. Just listed to old flame and If the devil danced in empty pockets. Definitely a loss.
Janet Maragus
March 29, 2020 @ 2:18 pm
This is so terribly sad. My favorite Joe Diffie songs were A Night to Remember and Ships that don’t come in. An amazing voice and you will be missed
JF
March 29, 2020 @ 2:23 pm
BJ Barham’s cover of “John Deere Green,” posted last week to his Instagram account, is worth checking out. RIP.
C
March 29, 2020 @ 2:25 pm
Being born in 96’, I discovered him as a kid through some of my parents albums. While at his time he might not of been as popular as other 90s artists, based on what I listened to I always considered him just as talented. What a loss.
hoptowntiger94
March 29, 2020 @ 2:26 pm
Definitely on the soundtrack of my high school years. “John Deere Green” and “Is it Cold in Here?” were my two favorite songs by Diffie.
Rackensacker
March 29, 2020 @ 2:32 pm
Fill his boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in his hand.
RIP Joe, one of the great artists of the ‘90s.
scottinnj
March 29, 2020 @ 2:36 pm
I hate this virus…Jjust read John Prine is in critical condition with COVID-19
https://twitter.com/JohnPrineMusic/status/1244374068226293761
sbach66
March 29, 2020 @ 2:53 pm
Just going to post the same thing. Dammit.
Therhodeo
March 29, 2020 @ 2:40 pm
The country world needs more songs like Ships That Don’t Come In. Pretty bummed about this.
Ben Parks
March 29, 2020 @ 3:12 pm
I saw Joe almost 20 years ago at our county fair along with Mark Chesnutt and Tracy Lawrence. I was born in the mid 80’s and his greatest hits CD was on rotation in my old truck. Like others have said his funny catchy songs hot me hooked, but In another world, Home, and ships that dont come in are just great country songs. It’s been a rough week for country music losing Kenny and Jan Howard but this is the toughest loss yet. Prayers to his family
Root Beer Man
March 29, 2020 @ 3:21 pm
Fuch this Coronavirus from the bowels of hell! R.I.P. Joe.
wjmtv
March 29, 2020 @ 3:39 pm
“Prop Me Up” is a great song, and he was a neat guy. My condolences to all who knew him.
Woogeroo
March 29, 2020 @ 3:47 pm
*there’s something women like about a pickup man… *
RIP
Trey
March 29, 2020 @ 3:59 pm
Fuck CV…damn.
Chris
March 29, 2020 @ 4:54 pm
Very sad to hear this.
I sure liked him.
I hope he’s looking down at us from Heaven,
Jimmy
March 29, 2020 @ 4:57 pm
“Tougher Than Nails,” from the album of the same name, was a great song. Diffie was more than his biggest hits.Go Rest High, Mr. Diffie, and thanks for all the great music.
stuart bertles
March 29, 2020 @ 4:57 pm
Condolences and prayers to the family. Grew up on Joe and became a pickup man myself! Didn’t he sing a song about being propped up beside the juke box? RIP Joe, Thanks for the memories!
Doug
March 29, 2020 @ 5:27 pm
“Ships That Don’t Come In” is such a beautiful song, beautifully sung. Thanks for that one especially, Joe. RIP.
Josh Calahan
March 29, 2020 @ 5:53 pm
RIP Joe.
King Honky Of Crackershire
March 29, 2020 @ 6:02 pm
Well this is shocking. He was so great, underrated in the eyes of C(c)ountry lore.
Strait Country 81
March 29, 2020 @ 6:29 pm
RIP.
Hope they got the mannequin ready.
His song If You Want Me To describes my current situation
Esson
March 29, 2020 @ 6:34 pm
Trey and Root Beer Man, you hit it on the head as well as everyone else! R.I.P. Joe Diffie!
This crap is hitting home now!
I was Born in the late 60’s. Joe was the stuff that we all had good times by and literally we were the pickup men! Boycott the Chinese! This is why the U.S. of A is in this predicament! I could go on and on. Anyway, thoughts and prayers to the family.
Ray
March 29, 2020 @ 7:00 pm
The loss of Kenny, Jan Howard and now, Joe Diffy, has made it a rough non days for country music lovers. Saying prayers tonight for John Prine who is in critical condition tonight.
Orgirl1
March 29, 2020 @ 8:27 pm
This is terrible news. I literally was just listening to a bunch of 90’s country songs yesterday and sang my heart out to Pickup Man. This one definitely hurts. RIP, Joe. 🎵❤️
Jamie
March 29, 2020 @ 8:05 pm
This one really hurts. I just can’t believe what I’m reading. 🙁 I also grew up on Joe Diffie. One of my earliest memories of liking Joe’s music is when me and my dad were watching his “Is It Cold In Here” video back when it first came out. I was about six. Still love that song today, along with a lot of his early stuff like “Home,” “If You Want Me To,” “If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Ships That Don’t Come In,” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.” “New Way To Light Up An Old Flame,” another favorite, came on my ipod earlier today while I was walking around the neighborhood. In the early 90’s, he was one of the very best of the neo-traditionalists, imo. His first three albums are some of my favorite ones to listen to from that era.
Also love some of his latter day career songs like “A Night To Remember,” “It’s Always Something,” and “In Another World.” The “A Night To Remember” album is especially one of my favorites. Just can’t believe this awesome talent is no longer with us. I hate this virus now more than ever!
Orgirl1
March 29, 2020 @ 8:28 pm
This is terrible news. I literally was just listening to a bunch of 90’s country songs yesterday and sang my heart out to Pickup Man. This one definitely hurts. RIP, Joe. 🎵❤️
Sam Cody
March 29, 2020 @ 9:10 pm
No damn. Fuck. RIP Joe. Shit
Luckyoldsun
March 29, 2020 @ 11:13 pm
Wow.
There’s a shocker. I’ve heard of quite a number of highly prominent people announce that they have the coronavirus in recent weeks–Tom Hanks, Sean Payton and the British Prince and PM, et al.–but Diffie is the first major personality (from my perspective) to die from it.
In that early 90’s new country wave, when I listened to country radio regularly, Garth and Clint and AJ and TT and B&D were the kings, but Diffie, along with Mark Chesnutt and Vince Gill were in the next tier–ahead of future superstars McGraw, Chesney and Toby. (That’s from memory. I’m not Googling the music charts to check.) Every Joe Diffie single was like an automatic add at radio.
Vince and Paisley and Marty Stuart gave a nice salute (well-deserved) to Kenny Rogers on their Opry show last week. Here’s hoping they do something in remembrance of Diffie at the next appearance.
Rita
March 30, 2020 @ 4:58 am
So very sad to hear of Joe Diffie’s passing. Joe and his wife were so kind to me after my husband passed 4 years ago. A great family. You are greatly missed by so many who loved you and your music. Prayers to Joe and his sweet family…RIP Joe
Michelle
March 30, 2020 @ 5:25 am
Wow. That sucks.
Moe
March 30, 2020 @ 6:08 am
Hope Joe sings this one in heaven!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMiEFyTuuh8
Loretta Twitty
March 30, 2020 @ 7:34 am
This one hurts. I had a chance to see him, got through 5 or less songs, storm came. He was sick with sore throat, as well. ” I’d rather stay around and love you
And be the one to make your dreams come true
But if it takes good-bye to make you happy
Then I’ll just walk away if you want me to.” RIP
Benny Lee
March 30, 2020 @ 7:38 am
Listening to his catalogue all day. His material was a perfect mix of humor and sadness. Country to the core.
Hard times, these days.
Garrett Roe
March 30, 2020 @ 7:46 am
Damn it, just damn it….I love Joe’s music. I had the chance to see and meet him and Mark Chesnutt years ago, and Joe was such a kind man, who encouraged me to keep pursuing my musical dreams. Rest easy Pickup Man
James Loren
March 30, 2020 @ 8:23 am
I love Joe’s Bluegrass album. A style which is not famous here in Germany.
Thank you for the music, sometimes uplifting, sometimes sentimental.
Bon voyage over the rainbow.
karl
March 30, 2020 @ 10:52 am
I’ve always liked Joe Diffie. What you said about doing a funny song and people want a serious song, is spot on. But he never disappointed me. He will be missed.
NPC
March 30, 2020 @ 1:07 pm
What a huge loss for country music and the world, especially with so many 80s-90s artists rebounding in the past year or two. He was apparently at Lorrie Morgan’s Spicy Hot Chicken Coop in Panama City on March 19th, and the Florida panhandle is starting to see a sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases.
https://www.dothaneagle.com/news/state_region/country-singer-was-at-panama-city-restaurant-days-before-dying/
NPC
March 30, 2020 @ 1:10 pm
Sorry, I didn’t post the full link! https://www.dothaneagle.com/news/state_region/country-singer-was-at-panama-city-restaurant-days-before-dying/article_1b43482e-56a1-5d93-8b46-e00916c10b48.html
David Jones
March 30, 2020 @ 3:58 pm
I’m flabbergasted by this news. I’m been really digging his music lately – like the last couple of weeks. I was only listening to him on my mp3 earlier today.
Tom R.
March 30, 2020 @ 5:56 pm
Devastating news, he was absolutely one of the five best male vocalists of the 1990’s. It’s guys like Joe that make (made?) country music thrive, not the mega-superstars that essentially get bigger than the genre, but guys like him who were dependable and solid year after year producing real country music.
Noticed one of his hits packages was the #2 best-selling cd of all genres on Amazon (rankings can change hourly), also had two other albums in the top 50. I hope this returns him to the Billboard sales charts as well. RIP Joe, you were outstanding.
Luckyoldsun
March 31, 2020 @ 11:03 am
NY Times ran a pretty insightful obit on Joe by veteran music writer Jon Caramonica that’s worth reading.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/arts/music/joe-diffie-dead-coronavirus.html
Taylor 💜
March 31, 2020 @ 3:44 pm
This is heartbreaking. I was born in 96 and remember hearing Joe’s songs on the radio all the time. RIP, Pickup Man. Your fans on this Third Rock from the Sun love you and will miss you terribly. 💜
J.J.
March 31, 2020 @ 5:29 pm
Joe’s music was legendary and always uplifted my spirits. He will be greatly missed on this earth. I know he will be singing in our hearts from heaven. May God grant his family peace and love during this unexpected time. His memory and music will play on for years to come…
Samuel Sample
April 2, 2020 @ 12:37 pm
This hurts. I really loved his music. “John Deere Green” reminds me of a lady I really loved (and still do) as well as reminding me of my grandfather who had a JD 40 Std and taught me to drive using it. I would have preferred I had gotten the virus and Joe recovered.
Lori
April 2, 2020 @ 5:29 pm
RIP Joe Duffy. Condolences to your family during this difficult time. He sand some great music and will never be forgotten!
Alana
April 4, 2022 @ 3:47 am
RIP Joe Duffy.. I have loved your music for a long time and will miss you very much. My 6 year old grandson loves Pick up man and John Deere green and of course Leroy the Reindeer.
Deepest Condolences to your family and friends from Alana in Scotland