Daniel Johnston

Probably the most respected and influential singer/songwriter ever to come under the "outsider" banner, Daniel Johnston combined a man-child lyrical perspective with simple, pop-oriented musical frameworks to become a darling of the alternative realm in the '80s and beyond. Born in Sacramento, California on January 22, 1961, Johnston was raised in New Cumberland, West Virginia. He was studying art at Kent State University in Ohio in the early '80s when he recorded his began recording albums by himself at home under the most lo-fi, bare-bones conditions imaginable. The first of those, 1981's Songs of Pain, was initially self-released on cassette only, as were all of Johnston's other '80s albums. After leaving school, Johnston relocated to Austin, Texas, where his heartbreakingly earnest, ingratiating performance style and home recordings eventually made him a kind of cult hero. He was featured on MTV in 1985, which led to a widening of his reputation, and to Homestead Records beginning to reissue some of his albums. His first professional recording, 1990, was released by Shimmy Disc in the title year, spreading the word about Johnston further still. Over the next few years his legend grew to the point that he wound up making an album for Atlantic Records, 1994's Fun. Johnston, who suffered from serious mental health issues sometimes extending to psychosis, was institutionalized at the time the album was released. The record sold poorly and proved to be his only major-label release. After that, he didn't make another album for several years, finally resurfacing with 2001's Rejected Unknown. The 2005 documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" examined both Johnston's music and his mental problems, and gave a boost to his career. International touring followed, as did more recording. In 2017 Johnston embarked on what he said would be his final tour, which found him backed at various points by Jeff Tweedy, Built to Spill, and others. On September 11, 2019, Johnston passed away at the age of 58 in his hometown of Waller, Texas, reportedly having suffered a heart attack.