Tom Waits

Tom Waits is the renowned American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor who has captivated audiences around the world with his iconic deep, gravelly voice. Born and raised in Whittier, California in 1949, Waits' music has grown to encompass a wide range of styles, from jazz to blues, rock, and experimental genres. Waits was inspired by Bob Dylan and the Beat Generation, and began singing on the folk music circuit as a young boy. In 1972, he relocated to Los Angeles and, after signing a recording contract with Asylum Records, released the jazz-oriented albums Closing Time (1973) and The Heart of Saturday Night (1974). His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and have made him a cult favorite. The 1980s saw Waits move to New York City and pursue a more experimental and eclectic sound, aided by frequent collaborations with his wife Kathleen Brennan. This was seen in albums such as Swordfishtrombones (1983), Rain Dogs (1985), and Franks Wild Years (1987). Waits has also made cameo appearances in several films, including Francis Ford Coppola's One from the Heart (1981) and Jim Jarmusch's Down by Law (1986). In the 1990s, Waits returned to California and released the highly acclaimed Bone Machine (1992), The Black Rider (1993), and Mule Variations (1999), which earned him several Grammy Awards. His later albums, including Blood Money (2002), Alice (2002), Real Gone (2004), and Bad as Me (2011), have cemented his place as one of the greatest musical innovators in history. Tom Waits has made an indelible mark on the music world, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. As he once said, “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” That pretty much sums up the genius of Tom Waits!