When I was scheduled for a show in San Diego, I decided to do a couple regional signature pieces for the occasion. The first was a no brainier in hometown hero Eddie Vedder, but when researching artist with close ties to the area, I came across Tom Waits. Although he wasn’t born in San Diego, his roots are deep as it's where he began singing on the folk circuit.
Tom is one of those characters that are unique in every way possible. A true artist's artist. His voice is unlike any other, his look is incomparable, and his writing chops put him up there with the greats of any genre of music. Tom is one of those cats that blurs all the lines of art - he is a composer, musician, songwriter, and actor.
I’m lost for words trying to describe this man so I will leave you with his introduction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Introducing him, Neil young said, "This next man is indescribable, and I'm here to describe him. He's sort of a performer, singer, actor, magician, spirit guide, changeling... I think it's great that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has recognized this immense talent. Could have been the Motion Picture Hall of Fame, could have been the Blues Hall of Fame, could have been the Performance Artist Hall of Fame, but it was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that recognized the great Tom Waits."
-Stickman
