http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=jason-damron&pid=152631948

See also under "RIP Jason Nightmare" in the Fan Forum.

I'd buy it. But I wonder if that can ever happen again.

Jason Nightmare passed away July 16, 2011, following a sudden illness.

Our prayers and condolences are with Jason's wife Bridget and their son James, and all their friends and family. 

Well, I haven't been to all of Daniel's concerts, but the same could be said for a number of "greats," from Dylan to Alice Cooper. The key phrase may be "sounds like," because I believe no one chooses to simply go through the motions, it just sometimes happens after a decade or so of performing in a different city nearly every night and trying to be professional about it. No one wishes it for themselves intentionally, but it may be a survival mechanism.

That "compulsively creative genius" we all know and love is only human, and simply cannot sustain that momentum and energy (not to mention mania) which initially sparked those magnificent tape recordings. It's like if Iggy and the Stooges circa Raw Power had stayed that way, for 40 years! Had they tried, it would have looked like self-immolation, and they'd all probably be dead. It had to change. It's simply the course of things. We'll never know what goes on in Daniel's head, or how hard it must be to be dependent on a cocktail of chemicals to manage his serious health issues and still be able to maintain a business. The business of Daniel Johnston.

Daniel draws everyday, performs with the Nightmares, tours, and who knows what else. He doesn't owe anything to anyone, and, most importantly, he's not alone in making decisions for his recorded output. That is now a matter of family discussion, which is what seems to work best for him. For everything the man has been through, I am personally grateful just to still have him around, you know? If he simply wanted to just kick back and watch old horror movies on DVD for the rest of his life, I'd be down with it, as long as he was happy. We as fans have a lot to choose from to satiate our desire for more.

I understand your points Doug, and they are all valid. I'm just trying to humanize this artist and musician a little. And as for the peripheral stuff relating to Daniel, like the tote bags, etc., I mentioned that just to illustrate a point that there is a lot of Daniel product on the market at this time, and not to suggest it as a substitute for his music or other personally creative endeavors. I'm not 100% sure what you mean by there being only one "real" album in eight years, but I will venture to say that had it been up to Daniel himself, there'd be ten, and they'd all be real.

I've thought about this a lot of late, and have been especially encouraged by Rob's post to respond.

If you look at all that Daniel has been involved in since 2005's "The Devil and..." Documentary, it's overwhelming.

First off, a touring schedule that would have given Hank Williams a heart attack. Then there's the brilliant and beautiful labor of love, "The Angel and Daniel Johnston – Live at the Union Chapel." Major art exhibitions, including the prestigious Whitney Biennale and the wonderfully realized Rizzoli Publication Art Book, collecting hundreds of reproductions. There's an iPhone game. Back to back critically acclaimed rock operas. Dozens of collaborations with a number of musicians, bands, artists and others. Three released albums. At least six or seven side projects with their own releases (or in the can and ready to roll). The gorgeous and under-appreciated Munster Records box set. The Hihowareyou Radio Shows. Television appearances, interviews, you tube clips, toys, greeting cards, tote bags, and the "Infinite Comic Book of Musical Greatness!" And there's still MORE coming! All this, in six years!

I'm sure I've missed dozens of other Daniel related projects, but you get the idea.

If anything, I believe there has been a media glut which has never really subsided. There is more information and access to Daniel's music than at anytime in his career!

Part of the original mystique of discovering Daniel, for me, was the unknown elements. Who IS this guy? What's the story behind these amazing lo-fi recordings? What is that sound? There was always this mythic aura to his music, out of time, where one had to just listen, headphones on as tight as possible, and glean what they could from ordering the tapes through Stress and pouring over every hand written word from Jeff on the back of the sales receipt when they arrived in your mailbox! 10 or 15 years ago, when "Daniel Johnston" was searched for online, you'd get a mailman from Nebraska and a photo of some Civil War soldier. That was it! Now, well, just go ahead. Google him. It's like figuring pi: it doesn't end.

As for the board, there is so much information scattered throughout here, that there is simply no humanly possible way to make any sense of it. I know something more streamlined and updated is coming soon, with more direct input from those around Daniel. But for now, the Museum of Love has so many wings and satellites of products, details and data, that one could get lost in there for years. Not necessarily a bad thing.

I recently have been going back to those early tapes, again, and yes, it is true. He IS better than any of us imagined. (Well, I'm sure Jeff T. imagined it, or he would not have poured out so much of his blood and sweat and tears to make Daniel's music available to whoever wanted to hear it.) Listen again to the incredible balance of confidence/vulnerability on "Frankenstein Love." An under-rated live masterpiece.

Who needs more talk? Who needs more extrapolation? Just pop in the tapes and hit play, and be reminded of why we call ourselves fans.

Meanwhile, we'll be here, keeping the torch burning for all who wish to enter.

PS: Here's something fun to go along with your Rapture: http://youtu.be/KMQkox6d1rQ

Now THAT was entertaining! Good job, man.
I really liked the whole set.

This looks wonderful. I'm in!

Dan- could you double check that link? It doesn't go anywhere for me.

Daniel's 50th birthday isn't until January 22nd, but here's info on the show that's happening at Fitzgerald's in Houston on January 14th:

http://www.29-95.com/music/story/daniel-johnston-still-fighting-50

Couldn't open the download for whatever reason. What I'm using won't recognize it I guess. But GREAT choice of songs, Dables, (and cool Boognish image, too).

Is there another source for hearing these?

Guess we just weren't feeling it this time around. No judgments though, eh?

After MUCH consideration, I'm going to have to go with "Frankenstein Love: Live at the Houston Room 1992." And if that tape breaks, "Why Me. Daniel Johnston Live at Volksbühne June 6, 1999." Vastly underrated live recording masterpieces.

Watching the movie "Whip It" last night (11/13/10) on cable and caught this:



Very nice surprise. The T-shirt also makes an appearance later on.

Here's a link to the film on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172233/