Daniel Johnston: cult musician and lo

He has inspired a number of top-class musicians and other creatives, a film about his life won at the Sundance Festival, yet probably only a few knew the work of Daniel Johnston. On September 10, the singer and composer died.

According to his brother Dick Johnston, Daniel has had health problems for years. He succumbed now in his house near the Texas metropolis Houston the consequences of a heart attack. The manager of the cult musician confirmed the death.

Johnston was born in California in 1961. He was already suffering from mental illness in his early years. Among other things, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and a bi-polar disease.

A t-shirt brought sudden fame

After moving to Texas, he became an influential musician. Among others, Beck, Tom Waits and Simpsons inventor Matt Groening were among his fans. Johnston's work became known to a wide audience when Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain was spotted wearing a Johnston T-shirt. Among other things, Johnston refused to sign a contract with the label Elektra. His reason: The band Metallica, also at Elektra, spread Satanic messages.

RIP Daniel Johnston https://t.co/y7ECMuX6Lr

In 2004, an album with cover songs by Johnston, inter alia, interpreted by bands such as Bright Eyes or TV On the Radio. Johnston himself released a total of 17 albums, many of them on cassette only.

In 2006, the film "The Devil and Daniel Johnston", which deals with the career of the artist in the shadow of his mental illness. The film received a Best Director Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.