Daniel Johnston's "final tour" kicked off in New Orleans w/ Preservation Hall All-Stars (video)

“I owe Daniel a lot as an inspiration to me,” said the Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, who will lead a backing band for two shows in Chicago. “Daniel has managed to create in spite of his mental illness, not because of it. He’s been honest in his portrayal of what he’s been struggling with without overtly drawing attention to it.”

Doug Martsch of Built to Spill, who will be playing multiple shows in the northwest, said learning Mr. Johnston’s songs has been a lesson in the value of simplicity. “The amazing thing is half these songs are the same three chords,” he said. – [The New York Times]

Daniel Johnston‘s “Hi, How Are You?” tour, which they’re billing as his “final tour,” kicked off in New Orleans on Thursday night (9/28). In each city, he’s being backed by notable local musicians who also choose the setlist and for that show, at the Joy Theater, it was the Preservation Hall All Stars. According to Setlist.fm, Daniel performed six songs with the band, with Daniel taking a break after two songs — the Preservation Hall All Stars then performed a few songs on their own before having Johnston come back out. The final song of the night was his classic “True Love Will Find You in the End” which ended abruptly after his lyrics sheet fell off his music stand. You can watch video of that and of his playing “Go” below.

Daniel’s tour hits NYC on October 7 at Town Hall where he’ll be backed by members of Beirut, Cibo Matto and more. Tickets are still available.

In addition to talking with some of the notable musicians who’ll be backing Daniel on this tour, The New York Times’ article quoted above talks about his struggles with mental illness and other health problems. They also talked to Daniel’s brother, Dick, who is behind the tour and whether these will indeed be Johnston’s last shows. “This could be,”  Dick told the Times. “But it doesn’t have to.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=locRtmZeI4g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=locRtmZeI4g