HI, HOW ARE YOU?

by First Last, Don Goede

In this illustrated biography of Daniel Johnston, his life and art are chronicled through extremely rare photos from his early childhood through all stages of his career, along with his own artwork, interviews with the people in his life, and an up to date discography. About Daniel Daniel Johnston has spent the last 20 or so years exposing his heartrending tales of unrequited love, cosmic mishaps, and existential torment to an ever-growing international cult audience. Initiates, including a healthy number of discerning musicians and critics, have hailed him as an American original in the style of bluesman Robert Johnson and country legend Hank Williams. A number of artists -- among them the Dead Milkmen, Yo La Tengo, the Velvet Underground’s songs. And he as collaborated with the likes of Jad Fair (a founding member of Half Japanese, who’ve also done Daniel’s songs), the Butthole Surfers, Bongwater/Shimmydisc guru Kramer, and members of Sonic Youth. Daniel gained his widest public exposure to date when, at the 1992 MTV Music Awards, Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain (who constantly touted Daniel in interviews) wore a Johnston T-shirt. It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that next month is Daniel Johnston Month in New York. The Biennial begins on March 2, with more than a dozen of Mr. Johnston’s recent hallucinatory pen and Magic Marker drawings on view. -- The New York Times

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

100 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1999

Reviews

[Drew Kolenik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ADORE Daniel Johnston. He is one of the greatest singer song writers ever and I will defend that to the ends of the earth. I feel so comforted and haunted by his music. When I hear him sing I am flooded with overwhelming compassion. Nearly every live performance of his I have seen has left me in tears. So it really pains me to say how little I enjoyed this book. I really appreciate the idea of the project but a lot of the chapters are just so repetitive and tell the same few stories of his life again and again. I think this problem is as bad as it is because many parts are written by different contributors and by the time they had everything compiled it was too late to go back to the drawing board. This sadly feels more like a coffee table book you buy and just never actually read but I wanted to learn more about Daniel and the options are rather limited as he isn't the most famous guy. I wish this wasn't such a slog to get through for me but it was. I love Daniel and I am so grateful other people loved him enough to want to create this book and I am certainly happier it exists than not but yeah maybe it was not meant to be read in the same way one reads a novel. Started this in April, for sure my longest to completion of the year.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for any DJ fan, but even folks who have never heard his music would probably dig his story, if only for the time he thought his dad was Satan and threw the keys of the plane out the window- oh yeah, did I mention his dad was flying a plane at the time??? I know it's tough for some people to get into his music, as it does feel exploitative sometimes, but if there was one thing Daniel wanted, it was to share his music with people, mentally ill or not.

[Matt Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Johnson is severely bi-polar, but he's nevertheless influenced a generation of pop-stars and songwriters. I came to this book by way of "The Devil and Daniel Johnston", a documentary that you should go watch right now if you've never heard of this "American John Lennon".

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This you are gifted with what you will.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hodgepodge of Daniel Johnston-related writings (mostly about him, but a few by him as well), as well as tons of samples of his art. As a DJ fan, I loved it, and probably anyone with an interest in an amazing story would appreciate it, but it's not your typical bio.
That said, it has some fascinating insights. I particularly like the section that breaks down his art and ties it to the characters and themes in his music. Also fascinating is the transcript of an interview DJ gave from the Texas State Hospital while in the full throes of his bipolar disorder.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compliments the DVD of Daniel Johnston's life. (The Devil and Daniel Johnston)

[Nicholas Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but illuminating. This is a very interesting book that covers a range of aspects of Daniel's work, life and art. I would have liked to have read a more detailed biography (and there is a space in the market for such a book) but what is here is extremely good and very interesting. Recommended.