Home > Warren Zevon

After a failed early solo career, Zevon spent time as a session musician (notably as piano player for the Everly Brothers) and jingle composer. In the mid-70s, he moved to Los Angeles and became associated with the then-burgeoning West coast music scene, including collaborations with Jackson Browne, who would produce and promote Zevon's self-titled major-label debut, and Linda Ronstadt, who would record several early Zevon songs including a hit version of " Poor Poor Pitiful Me".

In 1978 Zevon released his breakthrough album, Excitable Boy, to critical acclaim and popular success. Several tracks from this album received heavy FM airplay and the single release " Werewolves of London", which featured a relatively lighthearted version of Zevon's signature macabre outlook, was a top-ten hit.

For the next 20 years Zevon would continue to record and release albums sporadically and with varying levels of success, while fighting personal demons including an acknowledged battle with alcoholism. He also collaborated with several members of R.E.M. to record as the Hindu Love GodsHindu Love Gods formed in Athens, GA in 1984. The original lineup was Peter Buck ( guitar), Mike Mills ( bass), Bill Berry ( drums), Warren Zevon ( piano) and Bryan Cook ( vocals). This lineup released one single, "Narrator", without much success. Buck, M in 1990Events January January 3 Former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega surrenders to American forces. January 7 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public due to safety concerns. January 9 Lt Gen Bazilio Olara Okello The man who led the coup aginst Dr Apo.

In interviews, Zevon described a lifelong phobia of doctors and seldom received medical assessment. In 2002, after a long period of untreated illness and pain, Zevon was encouraged by his dentist to see a doctor; when he did so he was diagnosed with inoperable mesotheliomaMesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer, usually associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos, which affects the pleura, a sac which surrounds the lungs, the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium, a sac that surrounds the (a form of lung cancerLung cancer is a malignant tumour of the lungs. Most commonly it is bronchogenic carcinoma (about 90%). Lung cancer is the most lethal malignant tumour worldwide, causing up to 3 million deaths. Exposure to carcinogens, such as those present in tobacco sm). He then began recording his final album, The WindThe Wind is the last studio album by American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released in 2003. see 2003 in music). Track listing #"Dirty Life and Times" (Zevon) 3:15 #"Disorder in the House" ( Jorge Calderon, Zevon) 4:36 #"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" ( Bo, with guest appearances from close friends including Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter, nicknamed "The Boss". He frequently recorded with The E-Street Band . Early years Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen was born September 23, 1949 in Freehold, New Jersey., Don HenleyDonald (Don) Henley (born July 22, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas) is a rock musician most noted as the drummer and one of the lead singers of the band The Eagles. Henley moved from Linden, Texas to Los Angeles in 1970 to record an album with his early band, Shilo, Timothy B. Schmidt , Joe WalshThis article is about the musician. For the Irish politician, see Joe Walsh (Irish politician). Joe Walsh (born November 20, 1947) is an American guitarist and rock musician. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh spent time in various bands while attending K, David Lindley , Billy Bob Thornton, Emmylou Harris, and others.

On October 30, 2002, Zevon was featured on the Late Show with David Letterman as the only guest for the entire hour. Zevon performed several songs and spoke in length about his illness. Zevon was a frequent guest and occasional substitute bandleader on Letterman's television shows since Late Night first aired in 1982.

Zevon had previously stated that his illness was expected to be terminal within months after the diagnosis in the Fall of 2002; however he lived to see the birth of twin grandsons in June of 2003 and the release of The Wind on August 28, 2003.

Zevon died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on September 7, 2003. The Wind was certified gold (sales in excess of 500,000 copies) by the RIAA in December 2003, & Zevon received 5 posthumous Grammy nominations (including Song Of The Year for "Keep Me In Your Heart").

A tribute album titled Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon was released October 19, 2004. His son Jordan Zevon did a large part of the work on the album, and also performed "Studebaker."