Thomas Alan Waits, a renowned musician, was born in Pomona, California, to schoolteachers Alma Fern (Johnson) and Jesse Frank Waits. He is often described as one of the last remaining beatniks of the contemporary music scene.
Waits has had a remarkable career, marked by two distinct periods. From 1973 to 1983, he recorded nine LPs for Asylum Records, primarily writing songs in the style of Tin Pan Alley, infused with elements of jazz and blues. Despite not producing a commercial hit, he gained a devoted cult following worldwide.
In 1983, Waits made a significant shift by signing with Island Records and releasing a series of albums that left the music world stunned. Beginning with "Swordfishtrombones", he introduced a new orchestral approach, incorporating instruments invented by Harry Partch. This marked a new chapter in his career, as he explored uncharted sonic territories.
This period of innovation coincided with his marriage to Kathleen Brennan, a former writer for Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope (1999). Waits' subsequent LPs, including "Rain Dogs" (1985),"Big Time" (soundtrack),and "The Black Rider", have become synonymous with the likes of Kurt Weill's music. "The Black Rider" specifically features music written for the show directed by Bob Wilson and staged in Germany.
