Thanks for plagerizing Wikipedia, dude.

I saw him live two or three years before his death and he was still playing small bars and saying the same jokes on his Live at the Old Quarter record from 20 years prior. People started talking so much at one point he could barely be heard but in between songs I threw such a fit that I actually shut people up. I was going to start throwing punches, I swear. Of course, he was brilliant. Reading on wiki about his death kind of freaks me out. I didn't realize he had it so bad with booze.

That's great that you got to see him. If only I were so lucky. He once shot up jack and Coke into his veins... He was pretty addicted.

Yeah man, crazy stuff.

For those of you that like Townes be sure to find a copy or download or something Heartworn Highways. Its a documentary about the entire outlaw country movement in the mid 70s. Features Townes, Guy Clark, David Allan Coe, Steve Earl, Steve Young, Charlie Daniels and Larry Jon Wilson and seems like others I'm forgetting. Interesting documentary though, so check it out if you've never seen it. Also, Townes autobiography Be Here to Love Me is good too but I think I have mentioned it on this thread before.

Be Here to Love Me is a beautiful film. You can watch it on Hulu if you're in the US, I'm not sure if it will work elsewhere.

Yep, it's a really great movie. Not only as a depiction of a great artist, but as a depiction of mental illness and the effects it has on people. People that don't even like his music should watch it.

Recently got into him. Happy to say that I now like country music (very picky about, but country all the same). Although, I've always liked Cash's music.

I'd recommend the book To Live's to Fly. It's a really interesting read.

Townes Van Zandt
 

In my opinion, Townes Van Zandt is the greatest songwriter in the history of music. I do my best to mimic his genuine poetic style with my music, but I do not think I can hold a candle to the brilliance that is Mr. Van Zandt!

I wouldn't disagree. He's currently my favorite songwriter and pick for greatest guitar poet of all time, I'd even list him above Nick Drake.