Cult singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston has died aged 58.
The American musician passed away following a heart attack, Johnston's former manager Jeff Tarkakov told The Austin Chronicle newspaper.
Despite battling chronic mental illness, Johnston had an influential career as a singer-songwriter.
He was a significant figure in the lo-fi and alternative music scenes after rising to underground fame in the 1980s.
Johnston became known to a wider audience when Nirvana's Kurt Cobain started wearing one of his t-shirts around 1992.
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In 2005, Johnston was the subject of the powerful documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
Fans admired Johnston for his simple, sincere and childlike music.
High-profile artists including Beck, Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo, Death Cab for Cutie and Eels have covered his songs.
Tributes have been paid to the late singer-songwriter on Twitter.
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
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
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
RIP Daniel Johnston. Truly a one-of-a-kind artist. He helped make Austin weird.😢 pic.twitter.com/WyT9NrmLOJ
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) September 11, 2019
Just heard Daniel Johnston died. Absolute legend, underground experimental musician who was a huge influence on everyone from Nirvana to Pavement . https://t.co/4P9fIfjZUQ
— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) September 11, 2019
there are not enough words i can say about the important and vitality of daniel johnston's musical spirit. he was a huge inspiration to me, to follow my creative impulses no matter how messy or simple. RIP.
— ZJ (@ZOLAJESUS) September 11, 2019
RIP Daniel Johnston. I'm old enough to remember when he still had individually recorded casettes for sale on the counter at Sound Exchange, if not to have had one handed to me in person on the Drag. Too pure for this world. #Austin
— Wiley Wiggins (@wileywiggins) September 11, 2019
RIP Daniel Johnston https://t.co/y7ECMuX6Lr
— Beck (@beck) September 11, 2019
love u forever daniel johnston #rip
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) September 11, 2019
