There I was on a Friday evening, cruising down GermantownParkway with two friends. With the windows down and blasting someof our favorite music, it would seem like a typical thing that mostguys my age would do.
That night though, we were feeling reflective and occasionallyone of our heads shot out the window as we screamed the lyrics toevery song on the CD.
It was our way of paying our last respects to one of undergroundmusic's most legendary figures: Wesley Willis.
Willis passed away Aug. 21 at the age of 40 in his hometown ofChicago.
He had been diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, andthough the cause of death is still unclear, he was brought to aChicago hospital in early June to suppress internal bleeding.
His health had been deteriorating ever since.
What made Willis so special was his uncanny ability to write asong about any situation, strip it down to slapstick humor andstill have it make perfect sense.
"It's important to have a sense of humor and Willis providedthat," said sophomore Donald Moyer, a 19-year-old economics major."He offered a smile."
Beginning his career in the 1980s playing on the streets ofChicago, Willis developed a style all his own.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1989 and always said thatwriting and recording helped him cope with it.
He often employed only a Casio keyboard and walked the streets,singing songs about his surroundings.
In 1992, Willis began writing and recording songs about musicand everyday life. With titles such as "Dave Grohl," "Rock n RollMcDonald's" and "Cut the Mullet," he wrote songs that paid homageto the musicians he respected and everyday issues.
What made him stand out though was his unpolished and bluntapproach to current issues. Willis told it straight.
Willis toured quite a bit, making frequent stops in Memphis. Theman who enjoyed head-butting his fans when meeting them developed acult following throughout the 1990s and released several tapes.These eventually turned into recordings and he is now responsiblefor over 50 albums, once recording four albums in a 36-day period.Willis has released two greatest hits albums on the labelAlternative Tentacles, which is scheduled to release a third volumein October.
Jello Biafra, founder of Alternative Tentacles and a good friendof Willis, said in a prepared statement that Willis "will go downas one of the most unique songwriters and entertainmentpersonalities in history. His music, lyrics, drawings, insight andthe way he put them together are like no one else. Ever. There willnever be another."
For Memphis fans, the tribute holds true.
"Wesley Willis stood for true rock n roll and turned out whatwas on his mind," said 19-year-old freshman Zachary Cobb.
"I just wish more people would've experienced his genius," Moyersaid. "It's sad to see one of the few good artists has left us. Iwould encourage people to give his music a chance."
Rock over London. Rock on Chicago.
