On this day in 1946, singer/songwriter John Prine was born in Maywood, Ill. Prine's work defies categorization but includes elements of country, folk and rockabilly.

After a brother introduced Prine to folk music, he began writing songs at age 14. Upon graduating from high school in 1964, Prine worked for the U.S. Postal Service for six years and served time in the army in West Germany.

Prine began playing folk music in Chicago clubs in the late '60s, where he met the young singer/songwriter Steve Goodman (who wrote the classic "City of New Orleans"). With the help of singer Paul Anka, who heard Prine in a club, Prine and Goodman cut demos in New York City. Prine's songs also came to the attention of songwriter/actor Kris Kristofferson, who helped him get signed to Atlantic Records.

Prine cut his eponymous 1971 debut-album in Memphis, Tenn. The LP wasn't commercially successful, but critics took notice of songs such as "Sam Stone," about a Vietnam vet on drugs. Prine also was noted for his intelligent use of words and Bob Dylanesque singing.

Diamonds in the Rough (1972) and Sweet Revenge (1973) followed, and Prine songs were covered by the likes of Bette Midler and Joan Baez (both of who recorded "Hello in There") and the Everly Brothers ("Paradise").

Guitarist Steve Cropper produced Prine's Common Sense (1975), which featured a booming drum-sound that separated it from traditional folk or country. The LP was Prine's first to rise above #100 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Goodman produced Prine's folk-infused Bruised Orange (1978), which didn't fare as well as its predecessor, commercially speaking. The following year's Pink Cadillac was electric-rockabilly music produced by Sam Phillips, the founder of the famed Sun Studios, and Phillips' son Knox.

Prine formed his own label, Oh Boy Records, to issue Aimless Love (1984). The country-ish German Afternoons (1986) received a Grammy nomination in the Contemporary Folk category. Prine later won a Grammy for the popular and critically lauded The Missing Years (1991), which featured guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt (whom Prine supported on tour and who frequently performed his "Angel from Montgomery") and Tom Petty.

In 1992, Prine made his film debut in John Mellencamp's first feature directorial-effort, "Falling From Grace." The following year, Prine released Christmas, a holiday album.

His most recent album of new material is Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings (1995). Live On Tour (1997) was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Prine is currently working on a movie with actor/director Billy Bob Thornton and will reportedly release a new album in the next few months.

Other birthdays: Denis D'ell (Honeycombs), 55; Alan Cartwright (Procol Harum), 53; Midge Ure (Ultravox), 45; David Lee Roth, 43; Kirsty MacColl, 39; Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet), 37; and Mike Malinin (Goo Goo Dolls), 31.