Down below, you can see a selection of tributes from the likes of Beck, the Mountain Goats, Judd Apatow, M. Ward, Cadence Weapon, Jim Guthrie and a variety of figures from across the music industry.
Exclaim! covered Johnston heavily throughout his career, reviewing albums like The Story of an Artist (2010) and Rejected Unknown (2001), as well as reviewing his many Canadian concerts, such as his 2007 Montreal show with Michael Gira and his 2009 Calgary concert with Eamon McGrath.
We also had Johnston take the Exclaim! Questionnaire in 2006. When asked what everyone should shut up about, he told us the following: "I think there's too much evil. They should just shut up and pretend to be good, or something like that, you know? You cant be evil without it leading to death, I think."
Read the full Questionnaire piece here and see a collection of tributes below.
Those early DJ tunes meant a lot to so many of us. "Walking the Cow" was also a favorite of mine, along with "Keep Punching Joe," whose lyrics reference "Walking the Cow." Rest well Daniel Johnston, you sure earned it.
https://t.co/KVGvW210yBRIP Daniel Johnston https://t.co/y7ECMuX6Lr
— Beck (@beck) September 11, 2019— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) September 11, 2019
Devastated. https://t.co/uvGnTiCPte
— Dead Oceans (@DeadOceans) 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
Safe passage, Daniel Johnston. pic.twitter.com/W8bkB439Jp
— Polaris Music Prize (@PolarisPrize) September 11, 2019
In the early 2000s I had the pleasure of playing in a band that opened for Daniel Johnston and it was one of the most surreal and amazing gigs of my life. #yipjumpmusic
— Jim Guthrie (@jampants) September 11, 2019
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
love u forever daniel johnston #rip
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) September 11, 2019
daniel johnston wrote this song https://t.co/4qOwDL8Zlw
— M. Ward (@mwardtweeting) September 11, 2019
giving credit again where it is due:
— M. Ward (@mwardtweeting) September 11, 2019
the late great daniel johnston wrote this song too https://t.co/HPzlfJ0L8h
💔 Great art is honest in its vulnerability. Daniel Johnston has always been an inspiration to our label and artists— one with quite a revelatory impact. Thank you, Daniel. https://t.co/3TyorI7fZX
— Saddle Creek (@saddlecreek) September 11, 2019
Another tough loss. We filmed this at @StarburnsInd when Casey brought @DanielJohnston to Los Angeles for a Super Tight event. Thank you to Daniel's family and friends for their efforts to keep him healthy and stable as well as they could. pic.twitter.com/IqtZx0U2az
— Lance Bangs (@lancebangs) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston died 😭 I knew today felt musty! I was JUST talking about him this past weekend with @teddy_thom and @HuckMcFuck 😪 heres my walking the cow cover I did not too long after my bipolar diagnosis. I found major comfort in his art. RIP🦋https://t.co/Zy8lLupPPr
— Shamir (@ShamirBailey) 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
Jesus, RIP Daniel Johnston, one of the single greatest and most fragile musicians to ever grace this planet. X 💔💔
— JamesVincentMcMorrow (@jamesvmcmorrow) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston, thank you for being you 💔 https://t.co/NCA3YO1E9I
— Cadence Weapon (@cadenceweapon) September 11, 2019
https://t.co/z5IvfwMn33
— Kevin Devine (@KevinDevineTwit) September 11, 2019
How can it recognize you unless you step out into the light?
grateful tears
So long Daniel Johnston. It was an honor to play your music with you. I was a fan for so many years. I'll never forget the first time I heard "Speeding Motorcycle" with you singing down a phone line. Pure transcendence. Climbing inside your tunes with you was heaven. pic.twitter.com/IdA80PmA8r
— Ben Lee (@benleemusic) September 11, 2019
Daniel Johnston was and will always be a heavyweight. He took us all on an artistic journey through light and darkness, his pain was our gift.
— scharpling (@scharpling) September 11, 2019
An all-time great, the songs stand as a perfect summation of an imperfect life.
Rest in power and keep punching, Joe.
pained to hear about Daniel Johnston
— Into It. Over It. (@intoitoverit) September 11, 2019
in one of the more wild & unique moments of my life we were able to collaborate on a split for Daytrotter. he never had to ever give me the time of day but, unprompted was so gracious, warm & supportive. that always stuck with me. rest easy d
Daniel Johnston wrote beautiful songs and inspired countless musicians and songwriters. The heart and its truths are captured in his music. I feel lucky to have been introduced to his artistry. I never know what to say in these times, but I will miss youhttps://t.co/c7qNIuZwsI
— Jason Ritter 🦋 (@JasonRitter) September 11, 2019
Thank you Daniel for the inspiration.https://t.co/7iKZK9sInX
— Bob Nastanovich (@BNastanovich) September 11, 2019
