Chicago Alternate Rock Icon Wesley Willis died last week. (1 Viewer)

[Philip Hamm]

http://www.alternativetentacles.com/...d=wesleywillis

He will be missed. RIP Wes.

 

[Tom Meyer]

wow .. that's a bummer. I used to see him all the time milling around the corners at North & Damen in my neighborhood. I'm sure there'll be something in the Chicago Reader this week. I'll post the link.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

I saw this on Pitchfork and thought about posting, but figured it would just be Me and the Hamm's who would even know who Wesley was...


Rock over london, rock on chicago...

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/03-08/22.shtml

-V

 

[BrianB]

Rock over london, rock on chicago...

Indeed. He'll be missed.

 

[Andrew 'Ange Hamm' Hamm]

Wesley Willis was the best man to the max. I loved him like a Mighty Dog.

Wow, I am kind of astounded at how enormously broken up I am about this. I was going to see him in concert last April, but the show was canceled. Didn't think it would be my last chance. I really wanted to meet him and tell him how inspiring his struggle was to me.

 

[Ike]

 

[Philip Hamm]

Someone else wrote it:

"No more demons".

 

[Tom Meyer]

More on Wesley ...

from NPR (!)

http://www.npr.org/dmg/dmg.php?prgCo...6&mediaPref=RM

From Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/featur...1,941496.story

 

[Neil M]

This is indeed sad news. He will be missed.

 

[Mark_Waldrep]

Indulge a quick recollection...Wesley Willis recorded an album in my studio some years back for Olgio Records. What an incredible experience it was, the Casio pumping out the programmed beat and Wesley singing at the top of his lungs...

It's always sad to lose such an original voice, but Wesley was so open, so musically naive and involved, and so wonderful to be around that he will impossible to replace.

 

[Philip Hamm]

Thanks Mark.....

:frowning:

(there's no crying emoticon)

I tried listening to some WW in tribute earlier today. I had a hard time enjoying it. I used to most appreciate his songs about his mental illness. I can't say that I actually enjoyed songs like "Outburst" as much as they gave me a tiny glimpse of understanding into his condition. Then the joke songs like "I Whupped Batman's Ass" or happy songs like "Harmony Joy Bus Ride" would make me appreciate that his life did have some joy in it.

It's just not the same now, he was so prolific.

I hope that Alternative Tentacles and whoever else owns his back catalog will put some of the money that would have gone to WW to some kind of mental helth charity.

 

[Kevin Farley]

Rock over London,
Rock on Chicago.

"Holds up lighter"

Godspeed, and God Bless You Wesley. Your soul can rest in peace now.

See his drawings (and other stuff) here...
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/9048/thumbs.htm