Wesley Willis on AllMovie

A confirmed schizophrenic whose humorous, repetitive songs and outgoing personality earned him a warm spot in the hearts of music lovers and industry insiders, musician Wesley Willis was also a dedicated artist whose Chicago-flavored pen drawings presented an honest window into his sometimes tortured soul. An imposing figure who stood an intimidating 6'5'' and usually weighed over 300 pounds, the 1990s found Willis transforming from street musician to cult music icon whose followers included such popular modern rock icons as the Smashing Pumpkins and the Foo Fighters. A Chicago native who began hearing voices in late October of 1989, it wasn't long after that Willis was officially diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was three years before Willis discovered that creating music and art could somehow quiet the torturous voices in his head, and in 1992 he teamed with guitarist Dale Meiners to form the Wesley Willis Fiasco. Recording over 50 albums throughout the 1990s, Willis was eventually signed to former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles record label, where he would ultimately release three "greatest hits" compilations featuring such Willis classics as "Rock and Roll McDonalds" and "I Whupped Batman's Ass." On-stage, the frequently confrontational Willis would often challenge his audience members to fights, and his favorite way to greet fans was with a warm and well-intentioned head-butt. Diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in late 2002, Wesley Willis was rushed into surgery to suppress internal bleeding in early June of the following year. On August 21, 2003, Willis died while in recovery. He was 40.