Chicago Musician Wesley Willis Dead at 40

Reuters ^ | 8/25/2003 | Jonathan Cohen

[B Knotts]

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Singer/songwriter Wesley Willis, a diagnosed schizophrenic who recorded more than 50 albums during his career, has died after a long battle with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The Chicago-based artist underwent emergency surgery to suppress internal bleeding on June 2 and remained in hospice care until his death on Aug. 21. He was 40.

Standing 6'5" tall and weighing more than 300 pounds, Willis began writing songs in 1992, primarily about his favorite rock 'n' roll artists. He would also be frequently seen riding the Chicago bus lines, selling his accomplished pen drawings of the cityscapes.

In the mid-'90s, Willis released two albums for Rick Rubin's American Recordings label. They deviated little, if at all, from formula: three chords, a chorus with the subject's name repeated over and over, and an outtro featuring the slogan, "Rock over London, rock over Chicago."

Willis' "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" was released in 1995 by Alternative Tentacles, the label run by former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra. A second volume followed in 1999 and a third edition will be released on Oct. 7. "Volume III" will feature video footage of Willis as well as downloads and an art and photo gallery.

"Wesley will go down as one of the most unique songwriters and entertainment personalities in history," Biafra said in a statement. "His music, lyrics, drawings, insight and the way he put them together are like no one else. Ever. There will never be another. As I got to know Wes, what really struck me was his sheer will power, his unrelenting drive to succeed and overcome his horrifically poor background, child abuse, racism, chronic schizophrenia and obesity, among other things. He was the most courageous person I have ever known."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

[Revolting cat!]

Wesley Willis, a diagnosed schizophrenic who recorded more than 50 albums during his career,

And he recorded those albums under what 50 names?

[B Knotts]

Wesley Willis, mostly.

[Damocles]

"CUT THE MULLET"

Do something about your long, filthy hair
It looks like a rat's nest
Do something about your mullet
Get out the hair clippers, jerk

Cut the mullet, Cut the mullet, Cut the mullet, Cut the mullet

Get the rat's nest off your head
Get that crazy-ass mother off your skull
Take your ass to the barber shop
Tell the barber that you're sick of looking like an a**hole

Cut the mullet, Cut the mullet, Cut the mullet, Cut the mullet

The mullet is the reason why people hate you
They are sick of looking at your nappy weed-sack
Nobody wants to look at you with that mullet on your head
Why don't you cut that mullet, you numbskull

Rock over London, rock on Chicago
Insure One, it's the insurance superstore

_____________________

Well, I kinda like the lyrics in this "tune"...

[B Knotts]

Another story:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/rock/cst-ftr-xwill23.html

Wesley Willis, a longtime fixture on the Chicago rock scene and a celebrated favorite of such superstars as Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, producer Rick Rubin and punk legend Jello Biafra, died Thursday after a battle with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Mr. Willis had undergone surgery for the disease late last year and was recovering in a hospice. The specific cause of death has not been determined, nor was his exact age known. His label, Alternative Tentacles, said he was 40.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at about 350 pounds before his debilitating illness, Mr. Willis was often seen haunting local rock clubs and walking the streets of Wicker Park talking loudly to himself, as well as hanging out with his favorite bands and enthusiastically head-butting fellow musicians and music lovers.

He was diagnosed as schizophrenic in 1989, and at times he was homeless and lived on the streets. But he was an industrious artist who peddled intricate, highly detailed drawings of Chicago street scenes done in colored felt-tip marker, and he released more than 50 albums, many of which were independently produced.

Three of his recordings appeared on Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label (a fourth is due in October), and two were released by Rubin's American Recordings, which made him a label mate of Johnny Cash and the Black Crowes. These reached an international audience and combined with the praise of rock superstars to make him an underground celebrity.

"Wesley will go down as one of the most unique songwriters and entertainment personalities in history," Biafra said Friday. "What really struck me was his sheer willpower, his unrelenting drive to succeed and overcome his horrifically poor background, child abuse, racism, chronic schizophrenia and obesity among other things. He was the most courageous person I have ever known."

Mr. Willis said he often heard voices that urged him to "do bad things," and his music and visual art helped him to "quiet the demons in my head." As a result, he became one of the most visible examples of what has been called "outsider art"--visual art or music made by untrained artists, many of whom suffer from mental illnesses.

Though he sometimes recorded with an improvisational noise-rock band called the Wesley Willis Fiasco, led by his friend Dale Meiners, most of his albums were taped on a primitive recorder and featured him rapping over the canned instrumental sounds preprogrammed into a cheap Technics keyboard. These songs usually found Mr. Willis paying homage to a rock band that he had just seen perform, and they invariably ended with the tuneless, shouted declaration, "Rock Over London! Rock on Chicago!"

While many championed Mr. Willis as a distinctive and authentic artist, some critics saw an element of exploitation in the marketing of his work, and some curious concertgoers at his shows would shout insults or attempt to goad him into acting out violently against himself or others.

Funeral arrangements are being planned for Wednesday. Before Mr. Willis' death, a party had been scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. today to celebrate the closing of an exhibit of his art at the outsider art gallery Intuit, 756 N. Milwaukee. Curators said the event will now serve as an impromptu wake. Call (312) 243-9088 for more information.

[Mike-o-Matic]

I wonder if...

  The vultures,
   the vultures,
  the vultures,
   the vultures,
  The vultures ate his dead *ss up.

In case you don't get the reference, this is a tribute. So long Wesley!!

[UncleDick]

Goodbye Wesley. You were crazy like a roll lizard. I hope you've found peace.

[B Knotts]

He rocked harder like a Magikist.

He really whupped Saddam Husseins a** with a belt, all the way to Russia.

I'm gonna miss him.

[Mike-o-Matic]

I'm really kind of sad this thread hasn't gotten more attention. I'm not exactly sure why, it just seems like Willis was one crazy SOB, just trying to get his sh*t together. He really was a one-of-a-kind. With as many problems as he had (and I certainly don't think one can can call him a "masterful musician"), and in spite of some pretty raw vulgarity at times, he still managed to achieve something with his life. That's noteworthy.

Bump for Wesley!