John Prine’s Chicago

John Prine’s Chicago

John Prine was born in 1946 in Maywood, a blue collar suburb of Chicago. Twenty-four years later he was writing songs and performing. Where did those songs come from? How did Chicago during that time period impact the character of his music?

This conversation, curated and led by Chicago-based journalist and author Mark Guarino, will look at the social upheaval in Chicago at the time and, more specifically, the streets, schools, teachers, events, and community of songwriters he knew so intimately and that would both shape his perspective and nurture his songwriting throughout his life.
This event is part of a city-wide birthday celebration for John, who would have turned 80 years old in 2026.

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This conversation will take place at the Chicago History Museum, in the Robert R. McCormick Theater, 1st floor.
Check-in for this panel will be at the Museum's Main Entrance.
Purchased admission for the Chicago History Museum is not required for entry.
Curious about accessibility? Read more here.
Proceeds from this event benefit grantmaking of the Hello in There Foundation, a nonprofit charitable initiative established by the family of John Prine to honor his legacy through community grantmaking.