R.I.P. Wesley
Archived9 replies · 515 views
I feel kinda bad for the guy because sometimes it seems like he was being exploited by some people. Kinda like ODB but clinically crazy.
but he's in rock and roll heaven thats for sure.
He was the underground "cult" artist of my high school years, my coz had all his albums. Excellent stuff for what it was. RIP Wesley
Awhile ago I tried to douwnload some music from that man's name, and all I got was satanic death metal...which scared me...:(
Requiescat in Pacem, Wesley.:(
Vale.
I'd never heard of him until about 2 months ago when Badly Drawn Boy programmed Rage (all night music vid show on Oz TV) and included his song "Alanis Morissette" - thought it was absolutely brilliant. Guess I've got some catching up to do with all the albums he released. R.I.P.
Originally posted by Push I'd never heard of him until about 2 months ago when Badly Drawn Boy programmed Rage (all night music vid show on Oz TV) and included his song "Alanis Morissette" - thought it was absolutely brilliant. Guess I've got some catching up to do with all the albums he released. R.I.P.
All his songs consist of seemingly random, off-the-cuff remarks (usually with profanity thrown in for good measure) followed by a repeated "chorus" of the song's name 
Damn, I loved his stuff...
the man released over 50 albums. thats pretty damn impressive even though it probally took him a day to make each one. anyways, i found this letter on his labels website. i forgot the url but ill post that next.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WESLEY WILLIS 1963-2003
A letter from one of his biggest fans, Jello Biafra:
We lost Wesley Willis some time before 9PM Chicago time August 21, 2003. Word is he died peacefully. The likely cause may be heart failure. Wes had been battling leukemia for less than a year. No services are planned as of yet. There will probably be a memorial concert, or at least a gathering in his honor in Chicago in the near future. We will let you know.
Wesley will go down as one of the most unique songwriters and entertainment personalities in history. 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 over come his horrifically poor background, child abuse, racism, chronic schizophrenia and obesity among other things. He was the most courageous person I have ever known. Yet through it all he had such a deep, all-encompassing love of life. Little things, big things. He loved bus rides. He loved watching trains. He loved writing songs about how much he loved his friends. He loved travelling to new towns so he could headbutt new friends. Is there any band he saw that escaped being in their own song about how much he loved their show? He was so warm, so sweet, so giving. He could be a handful when he came to visit; but as soon as he left, we'd miss him immediately.
As his long time friend Dennis Cooper said, "No More Demons." The voices in Wesley's head can't yell at him and put him down any more.
Wes was deeply religious. He was afraid that if he died he would no longer get to go see bands play. If there is a hereafter I hope he's right up front as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, his beloved Otis Redding and his dear friend Bradley from Sublime "storm the stage" as the crowd "roars like a sea monster." All opening for Wesley, of course.
It will be hard now that he's gone, but I'm not going to let myself stop enjoying the funny stuff, or the look on people's faces when they first hear "Rock n Roll McDonalds," or the memories of the good times and Wesley's many adventures. He wouldn't want it any other way. There are many down times when all I have to do is think of one of Wes's songs, something he said or simply marvel at his Wesley-isms, and the clouds part and a smile comes to my face. I think he does that for a lot of people. He always will.
Rock over London Rock on Chicago
Sail on, Wes. I love you.
Jello Biafra 8-22-03
For more info and MP3's: http://www.alternativetentacles.com/bandinfo.php?band=wesleywillis
mp3's---http://www.alternativetentacles.com/bandinfo.php?band=wesleywillis
alternativetentacles.com
