John Linnell, born June 12, 1959, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known as co-founder of the alternative rock band They Might Be Giants. He co-founded the group in 1982 with high school friend John Flansburgh, playing accordion, keyboards, and woodwinds. Prior to finding success, Linnell played keyboards and saxophone for the new wave band The Mundanes. With They Might Be Giants, he released the self-titled debut album They Might Be Giants (1986) and Lincoln (1988), before achieving mainstream success with Flood (1990). This breakthrough album featured the single “Birdhouse in Your Soul”, which reached number 3 on the United States Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 6 on the UK Singles Chart. In addition to his work with the band, Linnell undertook solo projects, including the EP House of Mayors (1996) and the album State Songs (1999). He also released the Latin-language EP Roman Songs (2021) and collaborated with Michael Hearst on a cover of “Tele-Tele-Telephone” for the project 80 From The 80s (2024). His career earned critical acclaim, multiple chart placements, and enduring influence in the alternative rock genre.
