Who is Tom Waits? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Thomas Alan Waits

Age: 75 Years, 75 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Kathleen Brennan (m. 1980)

father: Alma Fern (née Johnson) McMurray

mother: Jesse Frank Waits

children: Casey Xavier Waits, Kellesimone Waits, Sullivan Waits

Born Country: United States

Composers Lyricists & Songwriters

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

Ancestry: Norwegian American

U.S. State: California

Recommended For You

1

What genre of music does Tom Waits primarily perform?

Tom Waits is known for his unique blend of blues, rock, jazz, and folk music.
2

Which album is considered to be Tom Waits' breakthrough?

Tom Waits' album "Swordfishtrombones" is often regarded as his breakthrough album, showcasing his experimental and innovative musical style.
3

Has Tom Waits ever collaborated with other artists?

Yes, Tom Waits has collaborated with various artists over the years, including Keith Richards, Bette Midler, and Crystal Gayle.
4

Does Tom Waits have a distinct vocal style?

Yes, Tom Waits is known for his distinctive gravelly voice, which adds to the raw and emotional quality of his music.
5

Are there any films in which Tom Waits has acted?

Yes, Tom Waits has appeared in several films, including "Dracula" (1992), "Seven Psychopaths" (2012), and "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" (2018).

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born on 7 December 1949 to Alma Fern McMurray and Jesse Frank Waits in California. Both his parents were schoolteachers who divorced when Tom was young.

He learnt to play the piano at his neighbour’s house and used to travel to Mexico with his father. His exposure to Mexican music at a young age kindled in him a love for all things musical.

He attended Hilltop High School and started playing in local bands. He wanted to be a musician, but was unimpressed by the musical scene in the 1960s; he wanted to do something different.

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Career

His musical career began when he was working as a doorman at the Heritage nightclub in San Diego. He got a chance to play his first gig there for which he was paid $6.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1971 and brought out his debut album, the folk influenced ‘Closing Time’ in 1973. The album with its eclectic mix of songs was reviewed very positively by the critics.

He toured a lot over the next few years and also became an alcoholic. His 1976 album, ‘Small Change’ featured somewhat gloomy songs and presented a pessimistic mood.

His 1980 album, ‘Heartattack and Vine’, was his first album to enter the Australian Top 40, reaching 30. By now he was popular not just in the US but also gaining fame in other countries around the world.

During the 1980s he branched out into films and collaborated with Francis Coppola and appeared in Coppola’s movies ‘The Outsiders’ (1983), ‘Rumble Fish’ (1983), and ‘The Cotton Club’ (1984) playing cameos.

Along with his wife Kathleen Brennan he created the musical play ‘Franks Wild Years’ that premiered as an Off-Broadway musical in 1986. He played the lead role himself. The play had a successful run.

He collaborated with theatre director Robert Wilson and writer William S. Burroughs to cerate the avant-garde musical ‘The Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets’, in 1990.

In 1993, he brought out the album ‘The Black Rider’ which Waits had written for the eponymous play. Another album, ‘Mule Variations’ was released in 1999 after a gap of six years. He toured extensively after the release of this album.

He released two albums simultaneously in 2002—‘Alice’ and ‘Blood Money’. The songs in both the albums had been written years ago and were based on theatrical collaborations with Robert Wilson.

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Tom Waits is considered to a musician’s musician as several other artists have performed various cover versions of his original songs. His most recent album is ‘Bad as Me’ (2011) which was a critical success and received a Grammy Award nomination.

Major Works

His 1976 album, ‘Small Change’ was his first major hit. He was going through a difficult period when was working on the album and thus the songs have melancholy undertones. The album went gold in both Australia and the UK.

Rain Dogs’, counted among the best albums of the 1980s was an album about the “urban dispossessed” of New York City. Known for its broad spectrum of musical styles and genres, it was a hit in Canada and the US.

His Grammy Award winning album, ‘Mule Variations’ was an international hit, charting in 14 countries over the world, peaking at No. 1 on Norway’s album chart. It was accredited gold in the US and Canada.

Awards & Achievements

His album, ‘Bone Machine’ (1992) won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album.

He won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album for ‘Mule Variations’ in 2000.

Waits was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2011 by Neil Young in a ceremony held at Waldorf-Astoria.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Kathleen Brennan, a screenwriter, in August 1980 and became the proud father of three children. His wife has been his biggest support system and collaborator. The couple remains as close as ever even after several years of marriage and Waits calls himself a lucky man.

Facts About Tom Waits

Tom Waits is known for his distinctive voice, often described as gravelly and raspy, which adds a unique charm to his music.

He is not only a talented musician but also a skilled actor, having appeared in a number of films including "The Outsiders" and "The Book of Eli."

Tom Waits is a dedicated collector of oddities and curiosities, with a particular interest in vintage instruments and unusual artifacts.

Despite his reputation as a reclusive artist, Waits has a playful side and has been known to surprise fans with impromptu performances in unexpected places.

He has a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling and often weaves vivid and eccentric narratives into his song lyrics, creating a rich tapestry of characters and emotions in his music.

2000	Best Contemporary Folk Album	Winner
1993	Best Alternative Music Album	Winner

Tom Waits Biography

You wanted to know

What genre of music does Tom Waits primarily perform?

Which album is considered to be Tom Waits' breakthrough?

Has Tom Waits ever collaborated with other artists?

Does Tom Waits have a distinct vocal style?

Are there any films in which Tom Waits has acted?