April 2020 Recap: John Prine Dies, COVID Rocks the Music Industry
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting every aspect of life, April 2020 saw the music industry responding in various ways.
The effects of the virus struck close to home for many musicians with the COVID-related deaths of several high-profile musicians. Chief among them: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter John Prine and Adam Schlesinger, cofounder of the band Fountains of Wayne and a prolific writer of music for TV and film.
Many artists spent April participating in benefits raising funds for COVID-19 relief, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones. Organized during lockdown, these events introduced music fans to what would become the new normal in 2020: watching virtual performances as artists livestreamed from their homes.