A music legend passes on....

[Carolina Red]

I understand that most people think that Wesley Willis was a total nutcase, but I really did like his music for the fact that even though it may have seemed like he was exploiting himself, he was a really funny musician who really got people to laugh.

From Alternativetentacles.com:
Dear Friends and fellow Wesleynauts,

We are deeply saddened to report that Wesley Willis passed away yesterday, Thursday, August 21st. Wesley will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege to know him, as well as the fans who have been fortunate enough to experience his genius.

Wesley was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) at the end of 2002, and had to undergo emergency surgery on June 2nd to identify the source of, and to suppress internal bleeding. It is not clear if this bleeding was related to his leukemia or not, and the exact cause of death is still unknown. Wesley had been recovering at a Hospice in Illinois, and since the surgery his health had deteriorated rapidly.

His songs were simultaneously disturbing, hilarious, blunt, and intoxicating. Wesley's sheer excitement and unaffected honesty about every cultural phenomenon, defined his music as truly individual, and truly punk rock.

Wesley released well over 50 albums - 3 of which are on Alternative Tentacles, and a 4th, entitled, Wesley Willis Greatest Hits Vol. 3 (CD) had already been scheduled for release in October of this year.

For more information on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, please visit http://leukemia-lymphoma.org .

Currently there are no plans for any funeral service but we will inform you if there will be.

For comments on Wesley's passing from Alternative Tentacles founder and rock legend Jello Biafra, visit:
http://www.alternativetentacles.com/jelloonwesley.htm

We'll miss you Wesley!
Rock over London, rock on Chicago! Saab - Welcome to the state of independence!

[NachoHat]

Only song I ever heard by him was Rock N' Roll McDonalds. It was like three years ago but I remember liking it.

Sounds like he was pretty cool, though.

[rggkjg1]

very very sad day indeed. i wish i saw wesley's show when the oppurtinity came up. i got the flyer at least.. very sad.

[Zoddman]

I heard this news tonight, and it was really depressing. Sure, Wesley was schizo, but his music was very honest, very clear music. You could tell when he was happy, and you could tell when he was angry.

WOW, only forty too, so sad.

[Carolina Red]

What matters most is that while he may have lost to cancer, he never gave in to any of the demons in his head who told him all those things. Instead, he would always tell those demons to....well, I'm not going to mention it.

[Griever]

I liked "I whupped Batman's ass," and of course "Rock and Roll McDonalds"

They were so stupid that they were funny


RIP

[TimTwoFace]

I was always a fan of his "Alanis Morrisette" song, particularly the music video. I love how he lampooned all of her songs from the JAGGED LITTLE PILL album.

The guy was plain nuts, and to this day I don't know what record company would even consider giving someone like this a record contract. There was just a certain je ne sais quoi about him that made him so appealing - hey, I have a few of his songs on my computer too, they're always good for a chuckle.

And most importantly, I always appreciated how in nearly every instance, Wesley fit the word "ass" into the titles or chorus of his songs.

-Tim