Description
Wesley Willis, our Chicago Icon!
What comes to mind when you hear those two words, Wesley Willis? The song “Rock n Roll McDonald’s?” Being anointed by yours truly with the almighty head butt? Or simply sharing a laugh with this kind soul? We’ve all heard of him, met him or jammed to his music, but if you’re lucky, really lucky, you own one of his pieces. No? Well don’t miss this incredible opportunity!
Willis was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 31, 1963. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Willis grew up in Chicago’s projects as one of 10 children of parents who had a violent relationship and separated when he was young. He spent time in several foster homes and was essentially raised by two older brothers, who went with him from home to home.” In 1989, Willis began hearing what he called “demons” and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He was institutionalized for two months after his diagnosis. He often mentioned that his demons were named “Heartbreaker”, “Nervewrecker”, and “Meansucker”. He called his psychotic episodes “hell rides”, and alternatively, he declared rock and roll to be “the joy ride music”. Willis sold ink pen drawings of the Chicago cityscape on the street.
In The Daddy of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Steve Albini tells an anecdote about how Willis was in one train station drawing a detailed picture of a different train station from memory. These works of outsider art appear on the covers of his albums. Willis toured frequently, was profiled on MTV and was a guest on the Howard Stern show on September 26, 1996 where he played nearly identical songs about Baba Booey and Howard Stern. On May 22, 2001, Willis released an album titled Full Heavy Metal Jacket. During his tours, Willis became “famous for greeting fans with a headbutt”. This left him with a distinctive permanent bruise on his forehead.
Rock critic and Okkervil river front man Will Sheff wrote that Willis’s “Periodic appearances for crowds of jeering white frat boys evoke an uncomfortable combination of minstrel act and traveling freak show.” Conversely, guitarist Scott Anthony, who toured with Willis in 1998, said “It’s not frat boys coming to his shows and making fun of him, it’s the punk rock kids who appreciate that he sings stuff people are thinking.”
On August 21, 2003, Willis died due to complications from chronic myelogenous leukemia in Skokie, Illinois. He was 40 years old. Outsider Art-Wesley Willis, pen and marker on poster. Signed “Wesley Willis” and dated with a Double Signature: “The CTA Vincennes Av Bus Garage and Bus Shops” 1988 “The 77th Vincennes CTA Bus Garage” 1988.
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CREATORWesley Willis (Artist)
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PLACE OF ORIGINUnited States
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DATE OF MANUFACTUREcirca 1988
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PERIOD1980-1989
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MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUESPen, Ink & Markers
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CONDITION
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CONDITION DETAILSCorners of pen & marker drawings are lightly worn, but the body of the works are in good vintage condition. This in keeping with the artist behavior. Wesley was known to carry his drawings and art supplies wrapped in plastic with him, around town.
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WEARWear consistent with age and use.
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DIMENSIONSH 42 in. x W 28 in. x D 0.25 in.H 106.68 cm x W 71.12 cm x D 6.35 mm
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SELLER LOCATION2418 W North Ave 60647
- 773.276.6726
- [email protected]
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Chicago, IL
