Daniel Johnston has passed away at the age of 58, as confirmed by his manager and the Hi How Are You project.
It is with very heavy hearts that we share the news of Daniel’s passing this morning. One thing we know to be true in this sad time, in Daniel’s words, “True love will find you in the end.”
We will share details about a memorial as soon as they become available.
The official announcement was posted as well:
The Johnston family is deeply saddened to announce the death of their brother, Daniel Johnston.
He passed away from natural causes this morning at his home outside of Houston, Texas.
Daniel was a singer, songwriter, an artist, and a friend to all. Although he struggled with mental health issues for much of his adult life, Daniel triumphed over his illness through his prolific output of art and songs. He inspired countless fans, artists, and songwriters with his message that no matter how dark the day that “the sun shines down on me” and “true love will find you in the end.”
Daniel’s life and music inspired the Hi, How Are You Project to encourage open conversation around mental health. His birthday, January 22, is celebrated as Hi, How Are You Day.
Dick Johnston, Daniel’s older brother says of Dan, “I always wanted Danny to feel like his own person, and in control of his own life. Since beginning to work and travel with him in about 2003, we gratefully were able to travel the entire globe for over a decade to get out before the fans. He was always, everywhere, warmly received and he at least knew he was well loved. Health issues have plagued us for years, but I’m glad for the time we had.”
Tom Gimbel, Daniel’s manager of over 25 years says “I am so saddened by the news of Daniel’s passing. It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my professional life to work with Daniel Johnston – someone who I consider to be one of the greatest songwriting geniuses of our time. In our time together Daniel was more than an artist; he was a friend, he was family. I will miss him greatly but will smile every time I hear his songs.”
Johnston was a huge influence on some of our favorite singer-songwriters and our thoughts are with Johnston’s friends and family following the sad news. We first found familiarity with his music from the groundbreaking documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
So terribly sad to hear the news, from my dear friend Jeff Tartakov, that Daniel Johnston died late last night. Daniel is my all time favourite pop songwriter. His music captured so much with its honesty, humour, poignancy and great melodic heart. https://t.co/sULL7Ib3RJ pic.twitter.com/S7JWJaJcgn
— Duglas T Stewart / BMX Bandits (@DuglasTStewart) September 11, 2019
He was also a visual artist who painted Austin’s famous “Hi How Are You” frog mural on the Drag. Just yesterday his Facebook account posted a message about keeping on going. Sad news.
It never ceases to amaze me that Daniel Johnston and his Hi, How Are You mural are such a major presence in Austin that a restaurant named itself "Thai, How Are You" pic.twitter.com/HPyWblJcuK
— Stephen Thomas Erlewine (@sterlewine) September 11, 2019
Kurt Cobain wearing a Daniel Johnston shirt to a major award show in 1992, because he could pic.twitter.com/WtVHlVRKa9
— Zach Schonfeld (@zzzzaaaacccchhh) September 11, 2019
