Warren Zevon | |
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 Zevon in a press photo, 1978 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Warren William Zevon |
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| Born | January 24, 1947 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 7, 2003 (aged 56) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1965–2003 |
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| Website | warrenzevon |
Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003)[1] was an American rock singer and songwriter. His most famous compositions include "Werewolves of London", "Lawyers, Guns and Money", and "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner". All three songs are featured on his third album, Excitable Boy (1978), the title track of which is also well-known. He also wrote major hits that were recorded by other artists, including "Poor Poor Pitiful Me", "Mohammed's Radio", "Carmelita", and "Hasten Down the Wind".
Zevon had early music industry successes as a session musician, jingle composer, songwriter, touring musician, musical coordinator, and bandleader. However, Zevon struggled to break through with a solo career until Linda Ronstadt performed his music on her 1976 album Hasten Down the Wind. It launched a cult following that lasted 25 years, with Zevon making occasional returns to album and single charts until his death from mesothelioma in 2003. He briefly found a new audience by teaming up with members of R.E.M. in the blues rock outfit Hindu Love Gods for a 1990 album release, although no tour followed. In 2023, Zevon was nominated for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[2]
Known for his dry wit and acerbic lyrics, he was a guest numerous times on Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with David Letterman.
- ^ Dansby, Andrew (September 8, 2003). "Warren Zevon Dies". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "2023 Nominees | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". www.rockhall.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.