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Ronald Reagan’s failed assassin is now a YouTube singing sensation

Yeah, you read that right. President Ronald Reagan’s failed assassin is now a YouTube singer-songwriter sensation!

Yep. You read that right. 66-year-old John Hinckley Jr, who famously tried to murder former U.S. president Ronald Reagan way back in ’81, is now posting music videos on YouTube to a massive online following.

This all started in November last year, the first time Hinckley Jr was actually allowed to publicly post anything art-related online as part of his evolving treatment plan.

John Hinckley Jr
Image: Rolling Stone

34 years ago now, Hinckley Jr first entered the condescending walls of St Elizabeth’s psychiatric hospital after being found not guilty of the assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan.

Failing to murder him with a revolver, Hinckley Jr missed and instead accidentally shot and critically wounded Press Secretary James Brady, who was permanently disabled in the shooting.

And the reason for this verdict after such an atrocious crime? Insanity.

It seems true that the most tortured minds are often the most creative, and old mate junior’s music ain’t half bad!

The songwriting is decent, his voice is more than approachable and in-key, and the melodies are actually memorable!

Fittingly, Hinckley Jr has clocked over 62,000 likes on his channel at the time of writing, with thousands of subscribers to match. And despite the late bloom, it seems that it was in him all along.

Even way back in the 1970s, Hinckley Jr, wanted to be a professional songwriter, moving to Los Angeles for that specific purpose.

Ultimately failing, he still continued to pursue his dreams even while in hospital, as he told the press in ’83 that playing music was a part of his daily routine.

I see a therapist, answer mail, play my guitar, listen to music, play pool, watch television, eat lousy food, and take delicious medication.”

Hinckley has also been allegedly posting his songs anonymously on SoundCloud and YouTube since 2018 under the supervision of his music therapist, but was disappointed in the small number of listeners.

Well, be disappointed no more, sir! You are officially an online star!