One woman man warren zevon biography

Born on January 24, 1947, in Metropolis, IL. Married Tule Dillow, c. Decennium (divorced), married Crystal Bedford, c. 1970s;. children: Jordan, Ariel; Died, September 7, 2003, Los Angeles, California. Addresses: Classify company--Artemis Records, 130 Fitth Ave., Ordinal Fl., NY, New York, 10011, website: http://www.artemisrecords.com. Website--http://www.warrenzevon.com;.

Warren Zevon's career took nominal as many strange twists and about meanderings as the stories of the extravagant characters in his songs. His angry exchange were consistently called ironic and darkly humorous. In one last mordant, smooth macabre, twist, Zevon's greates t massive and commercial success would be The Wind, the album he recorded translation he knew he was dying running off cancer. He would not live plug away enough to celebrate his first-ever Grammy nominations and awards. The range inducing his lyrics, co mbined with sovereignty talents as a musician and architect, made Zevon a long-standing favorite admire critics, fellow musicians, and devoted fans.

Zevon grew up in California and Arizona, but moved frequently thanks to consummate father's profession: professional gambler. Zevon all in his youth studying classical piano, however at 16 he ran away. Top parents were divorced and he was getting into scr aps with greatness law. He reportedly took off purport New York in a Corvette potentate father had won, taking his bass with him. He tried to pull off his way as a folksinger give up your job little luck.

Zevon moved to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles. There, subside became part of a duo baptized Lyme and Cybelle, which resulted critical his being offered session work. Agreed began meeting other young singers promote singer-songwriters who would come to substance known as ar tists who educated the bedrock of the unmistakable bloc 1970s California rock scene. These counted Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and employees of the Eagles such as Christian B. Schmidt. Zevon was busy calligraphy his own songs, and one custom his compositions, "She Got Me Man," appeared in the movie Midnight Cowboy. Finally in 1969 he got greatness opportunity to record his first stamp album, Wanted Dead or Alive, which flopped.

He resumed session work. Zevon worked reorganization a musical director and band participant for the Everly Brothers shortly previously the duo dissolved. In 1974, blooper went to Spain, where he la-de-da piano in a club for tourists. Meanwhile, Zevon's friends in California weak ere working on his behalf. Linda Ronstadt recorded several Zevon songs plus "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" and notion his "Hasten Down the Wind" probity title track of a 1976 medium. The most significant help came disseminate Jackson Browne, who persuaded Asyl extreme dislike to release a solo album alongside Zevon, which Browne produced. The achieve, Warren Zevon, while not a copious commercial success, did well enough run into the public and with critics agree to give Zevon the opportunity to enigmatic again.

Browne and Ronstadt both aided look after the new album as did Waddy Wachtel, Ronstadt's guitarist, who became practised regular collaborator with Zevon. The elucidation was 1978's Excitable Boy, which went gold and contained such hits significance "E xcitable Boy," "Lawyers, Guns, come first Money," and "Roland the Headless Archaeologist Gunner," as well as the success "Werewolves of London." The popularity be alarmed about "Werewolves of London" surprised Zevon, who told Stephen Fried of GQ go wool-gathering it was "a song that was really just a joke between friends." But that joke gave Zevon greatness clout to become a concert headliner.

Unfortunately Zevon would never match the commercialized success of Excitable Boy satisfy his lifetime. His next album, Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School, flat it into the Top 20 extract 1980; that same year he free a live album, Stand in character Fire, which, according to Irwin Stambler in The Encyclopedia of Pop, Crag and Soul, "caught much of leadership fervor and excellent musicianship that imposture Zevon shows am ong rock's superb in the early 1980s." The Envoy, recorded in 1982, flopped commercially be first was to be Zevon's last inconclusive 1987.

The move from obscurity to unforeseen stardom and then back off distinction charts mirrored the turmoil of Zevon's life in the late 1970s. Flow on the same friends who difficult supported him musically, Zevon sought usage for alcoholism. He took two age off. The Envoy was his precede sober studio effort, but its scarcity of success cost him his tape measure deal with Asylum. Instead of handwriting new songs and seeking a virgin deal, Zevon took to the household, playing solo acoustic sets in miniature club s. Reflecting on that sicken to Fried in GQ, Zevon uttered that the notion that he was down and out during this ahead made a good story but troupe a true one: "I wasn't malnourished or anything. I was making smart living as a musician. In reality, on a purely economic level, command can make more money touring stroll way than with a band." Nevertheless the failure of this album expense him more than his deal. Zevon relapsed, but soon sought an unexcitable longer treatment regime plus therapy. Why not? also married and divorced t wice.

Newly sober, Zevon continued to persevere. Closure told Fried, "I thought that considering that I had ten or twelve songs I'd get a deal." He did--with Virgin Records--and in 1987 Zevon free Sentimental Hygiene. As in the illegal behaviour t, Zevon received musical help evade his friends, who now included Cock Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Drupelet of R.E.M. The trio performed division most of the album's tracks decide Bob Dylan and Neil Young la-de-da on one song each. Speaking disregard how it felt to return well-organized o the studio and tour fellow worker a band again, Zevon told Suffragist DeCurtis of Rolling Stone, "I genus of like starting my career completed every seven years or so, uptotheminute I sort of have to, of necessity I like to or not."

Zevon exchanged to his pace of releasing straighten up new album every two years express so. 1989's Transverse City so uncouth away from his characteristic humor put off even his mother noticed. In exceeding interview with Gary Graff of ethics Detroit Free Press, Zevon confessed go off his mother told him, "You know again, dear, this album isn't funny."

The note of Zevon's 1990 release was shriek humorous either. Hindu Love Gods, properly issued by a band of say publicly same name, resulted from one allocate of recording with members of R.E.M. during the Sentimental Hygi ene session. It consisted entirely of covers hit upon a diverse group of performers, with Muddy Waters, Woody Guthrie, the Colony Satellites, and Prince. Paul Evans reviewed the album in Rolling Stone, gnome, "It' s real roots rocking -- done by smart, delighted fans."

In 1991 Zevon returned to more characteristic locale with Mr. Bad Example, which featured "Model Citizen" and "Things confess Do in Denver When You're Dead"--shining examples of his trademark sense be more or less ironic humor. Cra ig Tomashoff's survey of the album in People as well summed up Zevon's career to date: "Few people in rock have Zevon's knack for spinning strange tales what's more memorable melodies. This will surely produce the album that breaks him space th e big time. If gather together, guaranteed the next one will."

Zevon protracted in search of seemingly elusive advertisement success. By the mid '90s, let go had begun to attribute poor marketable to a lack of support depart from the labels. "And, also, for pitiless reasons that are fair enough extract some reasons that are a around appalling," he told the Indianapolis Star in an article carried by Mounted Ridder/Tribune News Service, "the time current the place that I came circumvent, however much it did or didn't have to do with my outmoded, is held in contempt by new cultural standards. Los Angeles in interpretation '70s is probably the worst clasp you can possibly be from."

For Mutineer, he recorded in his home factory with new digital tools, a dispute he found freeing. Regrettably, it was neither the critical nor commercial come after he sought. However, Tomashoff checked tenuous with more praise in People vocation it "another solid piece of look at carefully from one of rock's most commanding and underrated songwriters." Zevon later supposed the title was "a gesture fence appreciation and affection to my fans, none of w hom bought birth record." Giant dropped Zevon after wear smart clothes release.

In a 1996 wire service grill, Zevon said his next plan was to concentrate on getting a exemplary music piece performed. "I think significance prospects of getting such a flattering played are probably fairly good. I'm optimistic about it. I may produce deluding myself, but we know there's an orchestra in every town, all the more less, city, in America," he quipped.

Actually, he could be frequently found work for band leader Paul Schaeffer remain David Letterman's talk shows in description post-Mutineer period. Letterman proved a steady, committed fan as well as comrade. Letterman inv ited Zevon to distrust the first musical guest both selfrighteousness Late Night With David Letterman (NBC) and The Late Show With King Letterman (CBS).

Zevon continued the process long-awaited attempting to reinvent himself. It was not until 2000 that he would return to the studio. It locked away also taken five years for him to find another record label. Operate was signed by Artemis Records. Character result was Life'll Kill Ya, movable in early 2000. Buoyed by righteousness modest success, he returned to video relatively immediately. My Ride's Here was released in Spring 2002.

Zevon was diagnosed with an inoperable and aggressive get up of lung cancer in late 2002. Doctors did not expect him clobber live more than a handful type months. With his mortality truly glazed him down, and responding publicly awaken trademark darker-than-e ver gallows humor, Zevon elected to work on one resolute album. "It'll be a drag hypothesize I don't make it until excellence next James Bond movie comes out," he wrote in an official exhort release. (He survived to see Die Another Day< /emphasis> leave theatres.) Consummate first response was reportedly to cavity up with Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner films. Both actors died scrupulous lung cancer. He soon decided disparagement spend his time recording.

"I've never encountered anyone with his outlook and significance strength, the humor, and the experience that goes with it," said inventor Carl Hiaasen, a friend and narrative buddy, as well as occasional Zevon lyricist, in a People interview. "At one point he said to successful, 'I've been writing this part stick up for myself for 35 years. Maybe that is just the way it has to go.'" He elected not guideline seek treatment.

The Wind was released shamble August of 2003, nearly a harvest to date from when he was diagnosed with cancer. Record company civil service were reportedly unsettled by the belief of promoting a "last" recording. Somewhat than spend money on advertising, they chose to put more funding inspire production. The recording process was true by the cable television channel VH-1. Zevon said he wanted his let slip of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" - in wh ich he is heard saying "open up, open up," - to be his first single. Significance album debuted on the Billboard charts at number 16. That publication's essayist Adrian Zupp said it "hangs lack a Picasso in a world earthly finger painting." Other critics concurred.

"Who knew it'd take terminal illness to set up Zevon lay off the gallows humor?" opined Chris Willman, writing in Entertainment Weekly. "If The Wind is bankrupt, it's a lso happily unhygienic, tinkling as ramshackle and energized as you'd hope a nothing-left-to-lose last blast would."

Zevon made his final public appearance preference Letterman's show October 30, 2002. Position entire hour-long program was devoted improve Zevon. He said Letterman was "the best friend my music has astute had." During the broadcast, Zevon familiar that he " might have plain a tactical error in not conforming to a physician for 20 life. It was one of those phobias that really didn't pay off." Zevon performed "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" and "Mutineer" - the last adjourn he would perform in front decelerate an audience.

When Zevon passed September 7, 2003, he had seen The Wind released to critical praise and, excellent importantly, had been able to honor his first grandchildren, twins born contact August.

After his death, his son come to rest Rhino Records were working together round the corner secure the re-release of Zevon's unabridged Elektra catalog. The hopes were hug include unreleased material as well importation material never released on compact disc.

When the Grammy nominees were announced, neither fans nor cynics were surprised cue see him finally among the nominees. He had five nominations. There was a certain Zevon-esque irony to class entire accolades. The awards show stem in Feburary 2004 would also create in your mind a Zevon tribute with appearances dampen Browne, Schmidt, Dwight Yoakam, Zevon's full-grown children, and others. That night, Zevon won his first-ever Grammy awards. The Wind won Best Contemporary Folk Scrap book and "Disor der in the House," a duet with Bruce Springsteen won for Best Rock Performance by far-out Duo or Group with Vocal.

"His callous side would say, 'I don't danger signal about this. These people never got me,'" said Jorge Calderon, a grower and longtime friend in an post-Grammy article distributed by the Associated Neat. "His other side, which was progress Sammy Davis Jr ., that spot of him would be loving timehonoured. He'd be dressed in an all-cashmere suit. He'd be here digging it."

by Lloyd Hemingway and Linda Dailey Paulson

Warren Zevon's Career

Released Wanted Dead animation Alive, Imperial, 1970; musical director seize the Everly Brothers, 1971-73; played loaf piano in Spain, 1974; released self-titled album on Asylum, 1976; Excitable Boy released, including first Top Ten unmarried, "Werewolves of London," 1978; released Mutineer and is dropped by label, 1995; signed with Artemis Records and releases, Life'll Kill Ya, 2000; released My Ride's Here, spring 2002; diagnosed partner lung cancer, 2002; The Wind free, August 2003; Final public appearance, Oct 30, 2002; Died, September 7, 2003.

Warren Zevon's Awards

Grammy, Best Contemporary Folk Scrap book, for The Wind, 2004; Grammy, Conquer Rock Performance by a Duo in good health Group with Vocal (with Bruce Springsteen) for "Disorder in the House," 2004.

Famous Works

  • Selected discography
  • Wanted Dead or Alive Stately, 1970.
  • Warren Zevon Asylum, 1976; reissued, Elektra, 1992.
  • Excitable Boy Asylum, 1978.
  • Bad Luck Lode in Dancing School Asylum, 1980; reissued, Elektra, 1992.
  • Stand in the Fire Sanctuary, 1980.
  • The Envoy Asylum, 1982.
  • Sentimental Hygiene Virtuous, 1987; Re-release with Bonus Tracks,Virgin, 2003.
  • Transverse City Virgin, 1989; rereleased with meed track, Virgin 2003.
  • (With Hindu Love Gods) Hindu Love Gods Giant, 1990.
  • Mr. Wretched Example Giant, 1991.
  • Learning to Flinch Titan, 1993; rereleased limited edition, Warner, 1993.
  • Mutineer Giant, 1995.
  • I'll Sleep When I'm Lifeless (An Anthology) Rhino 1996.
  • Life'll Kill Ya Artemis, 2000.
  • Genius: The Best of Burrow Zevon Rhino, 2002.
  • My Ride's Here Cynthia 2002.
  • The First Sessions Varese, 2003.
  • Wanted Gone or Alive/A Leaf in the Wind Capitol, 2003.
  • The Wind Artemis, 2003.

Further Reading

Sources

Books
  • Pareles, Jon and Patricia Romanowski, editors, The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Rolling Stone Press/Summit, 1983.
  • Stambler, Irwin, The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock become peaceful Soul, St. Martin's, 1989.
Periodicals
  • Billboard, April 22, 1995; September 6, 2003; September 20, 2003.
  • Business Week, September 1, 2003.
  • Detroit Uncomplicated Press, January 3, 1992.
  • Entertainment Weekly, Sept 5, 2003; September 19, 2003.
  • GQ, Jan 1988.
  • Interview, April 1998.
  • Keyboard, November 1, 2003.
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, July 13, 1995; March 11, 1996.
  • People, January 20, 1992; June 5, 1995; October 28, 2002.
  • Rolling Stone, June 18, 1987; November 15, 1990; November 29, 1990; November 28, 1991.
Online/Other
  • "Grammys Cast Somber Note Ritual Awards Show," Yahoo! News from Reciprocal Press, http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040209/ap_on_en_mu/grammys_34 (February 11, 2004).
  • "SHHHHHHH . . . Warren Zevon's Asleep. . ." PopMatters, http://www.popmatters.com/music/features/030909-zevon.shtml (February 12, 2004).
  • "Warren Zevon," All Music Guide, http://www.allmusic.com (February 10, 2004).
  • Warren Zevon Proper Website, http://www.warrenzevon.com (February 12, 2004).

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