Wesley Willis | FerrariChat

Wesley Willis

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by FarmerDave, Feb 4, 2005.

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  1. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    Jul 26, 2004
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    IgnoranteWest
    Musical genius & tragic hero, or exploited mental patient? Discuss.
     
  2. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2004
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    Steve.
    Sorry mate i have no idea who he is.
     
  3. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Wesley Willis was a great urban artist as well as a very unique song writer, he left an indelible mark on my generation that will never be forgotten. His version of Girls on Film rocked the house as well as Rock n' Roll McDonalds. He sang & created from the heart & will truly be missed.
     
  4. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    Most don't.
     
  5. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    When I first heard his songs thought they were silly, then I heard his story and it made me curious. I watched a documentary on him not long ago, and even after watching it, his success remains an enigma (pardon the cliche') to me.
     
  6. infraredline

    infraredline Formula 3

    Mar 15, 2004
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    dayam - when did he die?
    Truly unique music - not necessarily good. Consider he had a song called "Birdman kicked my ass" and another called "I Whupped Batman's ass."

    Holy **** I thought I'd never want to hear another Weslie Willis song again, but I think I might download a couple dozen right now.
     
  7. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    August 2003, Leukimia.
     
  8. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    If you can, pick up a copy the new Texas Monthly with the Daniel Johnston article, reminds me of Weasly's ordeal.
     
  9. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    will do. who's DJ?
     
  10. DropGems

    DropGems Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2003
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  11. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    08/22/03: Jello Biafra On Wesley Willis

    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
     
  12. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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  13. MikeZ_NJ

    MikeZ_NJ Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2002
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    I love Wesley Willis. Besides his fun songs, has anyone ever seen his drawings? They were actually really good...
     
  14. 96impalaSS

    96impalaSS F1 Rookie

    Dec 8, 2003
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    He is dead now right? I always thought his songs were so funny.
     
  15. GTO84

    GTO84 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2003
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    Rockover london, rockon chicago. Blockbuster video. Wow what a difference.

    Wesley rules. I have most of his songs. He was a genius. A true original, the likes of which we will never experience again. My favorite song was
    The Chicken Cow.

    This beast comes out when it is 25 degrees below zero
    It can rip your head off
    It can fly as high as a bird
    It can bite your face

    The chicken cow (4X)

    This beast killed as many as 100,000 people
    It's wings can flap like a bird
    It can break a glass
    It can also stab you in the ass

    The chicken cow (X4)

    This beast attacked my brother
    It stabbed him in the ass while he was standing in the cold
    His hands were frostbitten
    His hands were also numb

    The chicken cow (X4)

    Rock over London!
    Rock on Chicago!
    Blockbuster Video...Wow, what a difference
     
  16. GTO84

    GTO84 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2003
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    Yeah his drawings were good. He had an amazing view point.
     
  17. hwyengr

    hwyengr Formula Junior

    Apr 9, 2004
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    Jeremy
    I've always held a bit of a grudge against Mr. Willis. I blew off studying for an exam to see him in concert, sat through the absolute worst opening band in the history of live music, and then Wesley never showed up. To top it off, the club wouldn't refund the entire ticket price so they could "cover the cost of the opening band, which you saw."

    In other sad news, the McDonalds corporation has demolished the Rock 'n Roll McDonalds in Chicago to build a retro-modern McDonalds, to open this spring.

    Rock over, London,
    Rock home, Chicago.
    Diet Pepsi, Uh-huh.
     
  18. arnaget

    arnaget Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2003
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    i would say genius. he supposedly had a photographic memory of sorts; his drawings of chicago city buses were full of detail, down to the bus numbers and whatnot. there has been a bit of medical speculation as to the connectiveness between mental illness and savants (rainman?..).

    wesley, if not a genius, was certainly very creative. all of his music & lyrics were composed by him. i hope he wasnt "exploited" by his managers.

    on my way to my finance finals at nyu a few years ago, i'd pop in some wesley willis (taste a panda's ass, suck a caribou's d*ck, etc. etc.) to get all riled up. i'd usually listen to one of the Bach goldberg variations in tandem. the chicken cow was also another one of my favorites. have you heard the DJ enuff (i think?) Wesley Willis remix?

    one thing i'll regret was that I passed up the opportunity to see wesley in concert here in new york city about 3 years ago. i was busy with my studies at the time, and was living on a student's budget. i would have loved to exchange a headbutt greeting with Wesley. i've heard the wesley willis DVD (available on amazon.com) is really good. it chronicles a day in the life of "the willis." he visits a zoo to get ideas for lyrics.
     
  19. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    Yeah, the DVD is really good.

    More people knew him than I thought.

    I'm of the conclusion that he was a very talented guy, who fought incredible inner battles, and should be remembered. I guess I am still a little surprised at his fame, though.
     

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