http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df5icBxzR28&feature=related Thats the video incase people aren't familiar with him BUt wikipedia says he died in 1991 in a mental institution and a few other places have said so as well...anyone know why he was there?
Yep. Combo of alcoholism and his playing style likely contributed to early Alzheimer's. He also had emphysema, and I'm guessing after his childhood, his mental state was never too terribly great to begin with.