BoingBoing buddy Eli the Bearded points us to sad news that the wacky, Casio-keyboard-playing, Alternative Tentacles recording artist Wesley Willis has died of complications resulting from Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). "To me," says Eli, "Wesley's best song has always been I Whupped Batman's Ass. A classic of outsider art."
(Listen here — WAV).
Wesley's most recent album, Fabian Road Warrior contained some 24 original tunes — including the timeless triumvirate, Suck a Cheetah's Dick, Suck a Pitbull's Dick, and Suck a Donkey's Bootyhole.
Shortly after he finished his first album, he was diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia. Wesley described having "schizophrenia demons" in his head that removed him from the "harmony joy rides" that inspired his music, placing him instead on "torture hell rides".
Snip from the Geeklife news item on his passing:
"He lived an interesting life, going from homeless bum to revered musician. Some of his more memorable songs in my mind have been "Chicken Cow", "Kill That Jerk" and "I'm Sorry I'm So Fat (I will slim down)". I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Wesley one midsummer's night after a show at the Metro after a Reel Big Fish show (i think). I said hello to him and asked him how he was doing on his latest album. He was very friendly, albeit extraordinarily incoherent and when I moved to take my leave and shake his hand, I got a head-butt instead! I guess I should count myself lucky he didn't kill me as Wesley was a 6'5 350 lb. behemoth. Head knocking aside, Wesley will be missed for his whimsical outlook on life and his unfailing sense of humor in his song-writing."
Link to news item, Link to Wesley Willis fan page with links, a lyrics generator, and sound clips.
