I don't know if you subscribe to Netflix or not... but they carry the documentary (which is very recent, and the best rock documentary I've ever seen)...
http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?trkid=73&movieid=60027890
Great watch, some bits of video. Some REALLY classic bits of him singing with then girlfriend Sinead O'Connor. An entertaining, if somewhat slightly depressing movie.
So yes, he is definitely alive. I actually saw him in concert last year... one of the best moments was the last song (he was staggering considerably, but so was I) which was "The Angel of Death" by Hank Williams, which he said he should sing, since he was in Texas, after all
cheers!
