Lydia Moore comforts her son, Ethan, as they pay their respects at the "Hi, How Are You" mural created by Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58. According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) - Daniel Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58.
According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. His brother, Dick Johnston, says Daniel had been plagued for years with health issues.
Musicians such as Kurt Cobain and Tom Waits, as well as "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening, are among those who have expressed a fondness for Johnston's work.
Johnston's struggles with manic depression formed the heart of the Oscar-nominated 2005 documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston." His songs often contained innocent pleas for love and bore titles such as "Life in Vain," ''True Love Will Find You in the End" and "Walking the Cow."
Ethan Moore places flowers under the "Hi, How Are You" mural created by musician and artist Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58. According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Associated Press
Flowers and a note are seen at the "Hi, How Are You" mural created by Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58.According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Associated Press
People pay their respects at the "Hi, How Are You" mural created by artist Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58. According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Associated Press
Alistair Keggen leaves flowers at the "Hi, How Are You" mural created by artist Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58. According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Associated Press
A woman places flowers beneath the "Hi, How Are You" mural created by artist Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58. According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Associated Press