Wesley Willis, a one-of-a-kind singer/songwriter, struggled with chronic paranoid schizophrenia throughout his life. Born on May 31, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, he was the youngest of ten siblings. His parents' separation when he was young led to a tumultuous childhood, with Wesley being raised primarily by two older brothers who moved from foster home to foster home.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1989, Wesley turned to music as a coping mechanism. He began writing songs in 1992 and was soon discovered singing on the streets of Chicago in the early 1990s. His unique brand of humor, simplicity, and profanity-ridden lyrics, often focused on music, superheroes, and everyday life, resonated with fans of alternative rock.
Wesley's music career flourished, with numerous independently recorded albums and releases on notable indie rock labels, including Alternative Tentacles, Fuse Records, Typhoid Mary, and Oglio Records. His cult following grew, and he became a beloved figure in alternative rock circles.
In 1996, Willis's profile on MTV led to a major record label deal with American Records. He not only fronted his own hard rock group, The Wesley Willis Fiasco, but also explored his artistic side, producing hundreds of intricate colored ink pen drawings of Chicago streetscapes and CTAs.
Tragically, Wesley Willis died at the age of 40 on August 21, 2003, due to complications from leukemia. Despite the challenges he faced, his music and art continue to inspire and entertain fans to this day.
