Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Remembering The Death Of Townes Van Zandt And His Wild, Heartbreaking Life

Townes Van Zandt Death
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

On New Year’s Day in 1997, Townes Van Zandt died at his home in Smyrna, Texas, with friends and family nearby. A spokeswoman for Sugar Hill, the music label for which he recorded, revealed the cause was apparently a heart attack.

The Fort Worth native broke his hip a week earlier and had just returned home to recuperate from surgery. However, his son noticed that Van Zandt had stopped breathing and “looked dead.” His wife, Jeanene, quickly rushed into the room – sadly, the singer-songwriter was already gone. He was 52. 

Not Surprisingly, Townes Van Zandt’s Life Was Quite Rocky

Townes Van Zandt songs are dark and tragic – and they often mirrored his own life. 

The critically acclaimed American singer-songwriter actually had some serious struggles from a young age. He started to suffer mental breakdowns during his youth and college years, which doctors diagnosed as bipolar disorder and manic depression. He endured invasive treatments for those conditions, including the now-debunked insulin shock therapy that apparently erased most of his memory.

Eventually, he suffered from a series of drug addictions and alcoholism throughout his adult life. He was hardly ever in a good voice due to too much drinking and lack of sleep. He would even become drunk on stage and fail to remember the lyrics to his songs. At different points, his friends would see him shooting up not just heroin but also cocaine.

RELATED: Here Some Random Facts About Townes Van Zandt Within His Brief But Colorful Career

In 1994, he was hospitalized for alcohol detoxification, but the doctor noted that doing it again could possibly kill him. Regretfully, Van Zandt grew frailer and frailer during the mid-1990s.

Still, Townes Van Zandt was the most influential Texas songwriter of his time, for better and worse. His country ballads managed to rise above his boundaries. He remains today a cult artist celebrated by peers and devoted fans.

Latest Stories

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With "If I Needed You"

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With “If I Needed You”

When Don Williams and Emmylou Harris came together for their duet of “If I Needed You,” they gave life to one of country music’s most cherished ballads. Originally written and ...

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of "Three Wooden Crosses"

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of “Three Wooden Crosses”

When Randy Travis and Josh Turner joined forces for a 2006 episode of CMT Cross Country, it was a meeting of country music generations that fans won’t soon forget among ...

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With "After the Fire Is Gone"

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

In 2015, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless graced the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame stage with a performance that remains etched in the hearts of country music fans. Their ...

George Strait and Grandson Harvey's Emotional "God and Country Music" Performance

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

In 2019, George Strait reminded fans why he’s called the King of Country when he released “God and Country Music” as part of his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The ...

Kelly Clarkson's "Here's A Quarter" Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson has a knack for turning iconic songs into showstoppers, and her take on Travis Tritt’s fiery anthem, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” is no exception. During ...

Kelly Clarkson's Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke performances have given fans countless memorable moments. Still, her heartfelt rendition of Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” aired on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 1, 2022, ...

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring "The Blues Man" to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

There are moments in country music that feel like they were destined to happen—moments when two titans of the genre come together to remind the world why country music remains ...

This Teen's Take on 'Folsom Prison Blues' Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

There’s something electrifying about a young performer bringing a legend’s music to life. At just 14 years old, Haavard Nilsen didn’t just perform Johnny Cash’s classic “Folsom Prison Blues”—he embodied ...

Lorrie Morgan's Dramatic Take on the Classic "A Picture of Me (Without You)"

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

When it comes to heartbreak anthems, few songs hit as hard as “A Picture of Me (Without You).” Originally recorded by George Jones in 1972, the song is a country ...

Four-Year-Old Braydon's Precious Cover of "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" Will Melt Your Heart

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

In country music, legends like Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have given us timeless classics that continue to resonate across generations. But in 2014, one pint-sized performer brought fresh life ...