He was born John Townes Van Zandt in Fort Worth, Texas, into a wealthy oil family whose prestige was known throughout the state. His great-great-grandfather Khleber Miller Van Zandt was one of the founders of Fort Worth, and Khleber's own dad, Isaac Van Zandt, was a leader of the Republic of Texas. Van Zandt County, located in the northeastern part of the state, was named for Isaac in 1848.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenic-reactionary manic depression after a week-long binge-drinking session ended with him purposely throwing himself off of a third-floor balcony at the University of Colorado.
His father, Harris Williams Van Zandt, was a corporate lawyer. Townes tried to follow in his footsteps but dropped out of school to become a musician.
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