Daniel Johnston was a prominent figure in outsider, lo-fi, and alternative music. He was known for his homemade cassette recordings and his raw, emotionally vulnerable musical style, often described as "pure" and "childlike." His unique approach to music earned him a devoted following and influenced numerous artists.
1922: Birth of Daniel Johnston's Father
William Dale "Bill" Johnston, Daniel Johnston's father, was born in 1922.
1923: Birth of Daniel Johnston's Mother
Mabel Ruth Voyles Johnston, Daniel Johnston's mother, was born in 1923.
January 22, 1961: Birth of Daniel Johnston
Daniel Dale Johnston was born on January 22, 1961. He would become a prominent figure in the outsider, lo-fi, and alternative music scenes.
1983: Release of "Hi, How Are You"
Daniel Johnston released his album "Hi, How Are You" in 1983, featuring the iconic "Jeremiah the Innocent" artwork that would later be famously worn by Kurt Cobain.
1983: Documentary Depicts Johnston's 1983 Self
The documentary "Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?" features Gabriel Sunday portraying Johnston's 1983 self.
1984: Johnston Distributes Tapes at McDonald's
While working at a McDonald's in 1984, Johnston began distributing tapes of his music to customers, further building his local following.
1985: Johnston Featured on MTV's "The Cutting Edge"
Daniel Johnston's growing recognition in the Austin music scene led to him being featured on an episode of MTV's "The Cutting Edge" in 1985, showcasing artists from the "New Sincerity" movement.
1988: Johnston Records with Mark Kramer
In 1988, Johnston traveled to New York City to work with producer Mark Kramer at his Noise New York studio, marking Johnston's first experience recording in a professional setting.
1989: Release of "It's Spooky"
Daniel Johnston collaborated with Jad Fair of the band Half Japanese to release the album "It's Spooky" in 1989.
1990: Plane Incident and Institutionalization
Following a music festival in Austin, Texas in 1990, Johnston experienced a manic episode on a flight back to West Virginia with his father, who was piloting the plane. Johnston's actions led to a forced landing, and he was subsequently committed to a mental hospital.
1990: Release of "1990"
Daniel Johnston released his album "1990" in 1990, which was recorded with Mark Kramer in New York City. The recording process was marked by a decline in Johnston's mental health.
1993: Johnston Creates "Hi, How Are You" Mural
Daniel Johnston was commissioned by the Sound Exchange record store in Austin, Texas to create a mural of the "Hi, How Are You?" frog in 1993.
1993: Kurt Cobain Champions Johnston's Music
Kurt Cobain's public display of support for Daniel Johnston, particularly wearing a T-shirt featuring Johnston's "Hi, How Are You" album art, brought significant attention to Johnston's music in 1993. Cobain also listed Johnston's "Yip/Jump Music" as one of his favorite albums.
February 1994: Johnston Signs with Atlantic Records
Amidst a surge in interest in his music, Daniel Johnston signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records in February 1994.
June 1996: Johnston Dropped from Atlantic Records
Following the commercial disappointment of his album "Fun," Daniel Johnston was dropped from Atlantic Records in June 1996.
2003: Sound Exchange Record Store Closes
The Sound Exchange record store, where Johnston's mural was located, closed in 2003.
2004: Release of "The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered"
A tribute album, "The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered," was released in 2004, featuring covers of Johnston's songs by renowned artists such as Tom Waits, Beck, and The Flaming Lips.
2004: Baja Fresh Preserves Johnston's Mural
When Baja Fresh took ownership of the building containing Johnston's mural in 2004, community efforts successfully persuaded them to preserve the artwork.
2005: Development of "Speeding Motorcycle" Rock Opera
Infernal Bridegroom Productions, a theater company based in Texas, received funding in 2005 to develop a rock opera titled "Speeding Motorcycle," based on Daniel Johnston's music.
2005: "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" Wins Director's Award at Sundance
Jeff Feuerzeig's documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" garnered critical acclaim, earning the Director's Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.
2005: Release of "The Devil and Daniel Johnston"
The documentary film "The Devil and Daniel Johnston", exploring Johnston's life and struggles with mental illness, was released in 2005.
2006: Release of "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" and "Welcome to My World"
The year 2006 saw the release of both the acclaimed documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston," directed by Jeff Feuerzeig, and Johnston's first greatest-hits compilation album, "Welcome to My World."
2006: Johnston Exhibits Artwork in Liverpool
Daniel Johnston's artwork was showcased at the prestigious Liverpool Biennial in both 2006 and 2008, highlighting his recognition in the art world.
2007: Release of "The Angel and Daniel Johnston – Live at the Union Chapel"
Daniel Johnston's first concert DVD, "The Angel and Daniel Johnston – Live at the Union Chapel," was released in 2008, capturing his 2007 performance in Islington, London.
2008: Collaboration with Jung Kim Begins
In 2008, photographer Jung Kim first met Daniel Johnston and began photographing him, marking the start of their collaboration.
2008: Film and Shoe Deals Announced
Plans for a biographical film based on Daniel Johnston's life and music were revealed in 2008, with a tentative release date of 2011. Additionally, a deal with Converse for a signature Daniel Johnston shoe was announced but later dropped.
October 6, 2009: Is and Always Was Released
On October 6, 2009, Daniel Johnston's album "Is and Always Was" was released on Eternal Yip Eye Music.
2009: Johnston's Work Featured in "The Museum of Love"
In 2009, Daniel Johnston's artwork was included in an exhibition titled "The Museum of Love" at the Verge Gallery in Sacramento, California.
May 2010: Matt Groening Selects Johnston for All Tomorrow's Parties Festival
In May 2010, Daniel Johnston performed at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, England, curated by Matt Groening.
2010: Death of Daniel Johnston's Mother
Mabel Ruth Voyles Johnston, Daniel Johnston's mother, passed away in 2010.
2011: Tentative Release Date for Johnston Biopic
The biographical film about Daniel Johnston's life, announced in 2008, was tentatively slated for release in 2011. However, the project appears to have been shelved.
March 1, 2012: Photo Book and Exhibition Project Announced
On March 1, 2012, photographer Jung Kim announced a photo book and traveling exhibition project titled "DANIEL JOHNSTON: here," documenting her work with Johnston.
March 13, 2012: Space Ducks Comic Book Debut
Daniel Johnston's first comic book, "Space Ducks - An Infinite Comic Book of Musical Greatness," was released on March 13, 2012 at SXSW.
March 13, 2013: "DANIEL JOHNSTON: here" Photo Book Published
On March 13, 2013, the photo book "DANIEL JOHNSTON: here" was published, featuring Jung Kim's photographic documentation of Johnston over five years.
June 2013: London Exhibition and Performance
In June 2013, the "DANIEL JOHNSTON: here" exhibition was held in London, England, including a performance by Johnston and tribute performances by Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs with Steffan Halperin of the Klaxons.
October 10, 2013: New York City Exhibition Opening
On October 10, 2013, Jason Pierce of Spiritualized hosted the New York City opening of the "DANIEL JOHNSTON: here" exhibition, featuring tribute performances.
November 2015: "Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?" Documentary Released
In November 2015, a short documentary about Daniel Johnston's life, "Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?," was released.
July 2017: Daniel Johnston Announces Retirement and Final Tour
In July 2017, Daniel Johnston announced his retirement from live performance and a final five-date tour in the fall, featuring collaborations with artists like The Preservation All-Stars, The Districts, Modern Baseball, Jeff Tweedy, and Built to Spill.
2017: Death of Daniel Johnston's Father
Daniel Johnston's father, William Dale "Bill" Johnston, passed away in 2017.
2018: "Thai, How Are You" Restaurant Opens
The building that housed Johnston's mural became home to a Thai restaurant named "Thai, How Are You" in 2018.
September 11, 2019: Death of Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston passed away on or around September 11, 2019. His death was suspected to be caused by a heart attack.
2019: Death of Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston died in 2019, marking the end of a career marked by both critical acclaim and personal struggles.
January 2020: "Thai, How Are You" Restaurant Closes
The Thai restaurant "Thai, How Are You," which occupied the building adorned with Johnston's mural, closed permanently in January 2020.
April 2023: Building Housing Johnston's Mural is Razed
The building that featured Daniel Johnston's iconic "Hi, How Are You" mural was demolished in April 2023, although the wall containing the mural was preserved.