How the World is Remembering Daniel Johnston
- hottubsandskeletons
- Jan 21, 2020
- 2 min read
Since Daniel Johnston’s death on September 11, 2019, people have been showing their love towards him and his music in many different ways. Austin locals have been continuously placing flowers, candles, and signs in front of the mural Johnston created in 1993 of his famous frog, Jeremiah, the cover of his Hi, How Are You album. The Hi How Are You Project has organized Hi How Are You Day 2020, in honor of what would have been Johnston's 59th birthday, which will be held in Austin at ACL-LIVE for their third annual production. This project and tribute to the "godfather of bedroom pop" was constructed to go against the stigma of mental health and support the idea of open conversations about welfare. The Hi How Are You Project has formulated research showing that every one out of five adults struggle with mental health issues, which calculates to approximately forty-four million people, thus being their slogan: “We believe if we can change minds, we can change the world!”
Johnston struggled with manic depression and schizophrenia all throughout his life. He had many outbreaks concerning many people he loved and worked with, but his main outlet to help him through his mental issues was by creating his music and art. He started recording in his parent’s basement in Austin, Texas when he was nineteen on his boombox with just his piano and sorrowful voice. His first record was Songs of Pain, recorded in 1980 and 1981, and to start his cult following, he handed out his cassettes to friends and customers at McDonald’s, which was his job at the time. The majority of his records were home-recorded, but the idea that he wasn’t signed to a record company at that point of time never stopped Johnston from channeling his passion into his creations. Through this, many current musicians and artists look up to him and show great admiration for his work. He is a guiding light for those who believe it necessary to belong to a record company, because he shows a path of new creativity for all musicians and artists who want to create but feel restricted.
A tribute album was released in honor of Johnston in 2004, featuring Beck, Clem Snide, Death Cab for Cutie, Eels, Gordon Gano, TV On The Radio, The Rabbit, Teenage Fanclub & Jad Fair, Calvin Johnson, Bright Eyes/Nick Zinner, Sparklehorse/Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Thrisle, Vic Chesnutt, Starlight Mints, M. Ward, Guster, Tom Waits, and Daniel Johnston himself. These musicians collaborated their musical talent to express their appreciation towards Johnston.
Once Kurt Cobain wore his Hi, How Are You t-shirt to the MTV Music Awards in 1992, the alternative rock scene fell in love with Johnston’s lyrical genius and originality. From Cobain’s advertisement, Johnston’s music grew in popularity, and it also helped him bond with other musicians and bands to collaborate on music.
Many citizens all throughout the world have drawn inspiration from his works to construct their own version of his creativity. Many covers of Johnston’s music have been released and recreations of his drawings and album covers, including the Lana Del Rey cover of "Some Things Last A Long Time" which is featured in a documentary about Johnston titled The Devil and Daniel Johnston .
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