Celebrated outsider Daniel Johnston passed away Tuesday at the age of 58. His lo-fi avant garde cassette recordings inspired a generation of songwriters, many of whom have taken to social media to pay tribute to Johnston. Below, you can find tribute posts from Zola Jesus, M. Ward, The Mountain Goats, Death Cab For Cutie, Pavement’s Bob Nasanovich, Beck, Jack Antonoff, and El-P, as well as from Hollywood luminaries like Judd Apatow, Mark Duplass, Elijah Wood, Eugene Mirman, Duncan Jones, and Mark Ruffalo.
https://twitter.com/ZOLAJESUS/status/1171883463584178176
giving credit again where it is due:
the late great daniel johnston wrote this song too https://t.co/HPzlfJ0L8h— M. Ward (@mwardtweeting) September 11, 2019
Those early DJ tunes meant a lot to so many of us. “Walking the Cow” was also a favorite of mine, along with “Keep Punching Joe,” whose lyrics reference “Walking the Cow.” Rest well Daniel Johnston, you sure earned it. https://t.co/KVGvW210yB
Advertisement— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) September 11, 2019
Today our hearts are heavy with yesterday's passing of Daniel Johnston. His unique songwriting voice, so pure and so direct, spoke to us deeply. It is quite safe to say there will never be another like him and thankfully, his music will play on.
— Death Cab for Cutie (@dcfc) September 12, 2019
To me, Daniel Johnston's music was either very heavy or very light. There wasn't a whole lot of in between. His songs either made me laugh or they made me cry. He was brilliant.https://t.co/3alo4w9eBw
— Bob Nastanovich (@BNastanovich) September 11, 2019
RIP Daniel Johnston https://t.co/y7ECMuX6Lr
— Beck (@beck) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston was one of my best teachers. I love his work and I’m so glad that it’s still here. Forever grateful to my dad for telling me about him after reading a review of the ‘Late Great Daniel Johnston’ compilation, and buying it for me. And thanks DJ for so many songs
Advertisement— Ezra Furman (@ezrafurman) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston…God rest his soul…one of the greatest natural talents we’ve ever heard. 💙https://t.co/IRyUUy4isv
— Glen Hansard (@Glen_Hansard) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston’s recordings opened the door to something really special to me in my early 20’s – they seemed to have entire orchestrations going on even when it was just voice and piano or guitar. RIP
— Blake Mills (@_blakemills) September 11, 2019
So sad to hear about the passing of Daniel Johnston. He wrote at least two of my favourite songs of all time – “Hey Joe” and “Walking The Cow”. Listening to “Hi, How Are You?” on my old cassette radio whilst doing the washing up is my mental ‘happy place’.
Advertisement— The Cribs (@thecribs) September 11, 2019
This one hurts. RIP Daniel Johnston. One of my favorite songwriters of all-time and a huge inspiration on what it means to be an artist through and through. He was truly DIY and always a genuine creative force. His songs will live on forever.
— Beach Fossils (@beachfossils) September 11, 2019
The world has lost a true unsung genius. May more people hear his work. Rest in peace Daniel Johnston https://t.co/ezgCf6HNMx
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 11, 2019
damn. daniel johnston made very very special music. I hope he rests peacefully. im going to listen to go listen to walking the cow a lot of time.
Advertisement— Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) September 11, 2019
I love you Daniel Johnston, sleep easy sweet prince. Hope true love found you.
— COLD CAVE (@ColdCave23) September 12, 2019
daniel johnston will be missed. a brilliant story teller and songwriter who carried my friends and i through many over night drives in the van. so much to learn from daniel in the way he shared fearlessly.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) September 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/therealelp/status/1171898104150409216
So sad to hear of the death of the great Daniel Johnston. Here is a beautiful performance of his which makes me cry every time. Swell season + Daniel Johnston – Life in vain – HD-ACL – with lyrics https://t.co/ELElWjpZ3P via @YouTube @Glen_Hansard @TheSwellSeason
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) September 11, 2019
love u forever daniel johnston #rip
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston; what a gentle, beautiful treasure. So sad to hear you’ve left us.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston wrote beautiful songs and inspired countless musicians and songwriters. The heart and its truths are captured in his music. I feel lucky to have been introduced to his artistry. I never know what to say in these times, but I will miss youhttps://t.co/c7qNIuZwsI
Advertisement— Jason Ritter 🦋 (@JasonRitter) September 11, 2019
Just got this in the mail this weekend. Sorry to hear about Daniel Johnston. RIP. pic.twitter.com/dlqFNVrhML
— Eugene Mirman (@EugeneMirman) September 11, 2019
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.https://t.co/5m3hwEdS9G— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) September 11, 2019
Rest In Peace, Daniel Johnston. Singer songwriter, poet, ARTIST. Living your broken dreams forever. Thank you for your art. pic.twitter.com/kP9GBe9MCz
Advertisement— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 12, 2019
