- Music
- 12 Sep 19
Artists from across the world have paid tribute to American cult singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, who passed away yesterday evening.
Daniel Johnston, the cult indie songwriter whose music was praised for its lo-fi and childlike qualities, passed away on September 11 at the age of 58, reportedly from a heart attack.
The news was confirmed by his manager Jeff Tartakov.
Since the news of his passing was announced, tributes have been pouring in for the artist.
Beck shared a video of one of Johnston's most famous songs, 'True Love Will Find You In The End' on Twitter (he had previously covered the track years earlier).
RIP Daniel Johnston https://t.co/y7ECMuX6Lr
— Beck (@beck) September 11, 2019
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Journalist and filmmaker Jon Ronson said: "not only was he a true, great talent, the documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston is my favorite all time documentary (with the exception of the dentist scene). Walking The Cow is a great introduction to DJ. He inspired our movie Frank and much as Frank Sidebottom did."
Elsewhere, Duncan Jones, British filmmaker and son of David Bowie, said: "My dad introduced me to Daniel Johnston’s music & at first I didn’t know if it was meant as a joke or something else. But once I’d listened to a few songs, I heard the DNA of so many other’s work.
A unique & special human being.
Rest peacefully, Daniel."
I Read this thinking “wow, cool dad” then I remembered his Da is David Bowie https://t.co/br98EeB9Bv
— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) September 12, 2019
In a personal tribute to Daniel Johnston's time in Dublin, music promoter and journalist Leagues O'Toole shared a post about showing Daniel, and his brother Dick, around the comic book shops of Dublin, getting a milkshake, and getting him to the stage on time to perform a show at Whelan's. Read the full thread by clicking through here:
Around 2007 / 2008 Daniel Johnston played several shows in Dublin @Vicar_Street and @whelanslive Accompanied by his brother and minder Dick, Daniel brought an all-star band of great musicians and songwriters to Whelan’s on July 27th and 28th.
— Leagues O'Toole (@foggynotions) September 11, 2019
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