Comments on: The Late Movies: Rock On, Wesley Willis

By: Chris Higgins

Chris Higgins — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:00:06 +0000

Hey all — I’ve also posted links to a full-length documentary on Willis here (warning, the video starts playing immediately, so make sure you’re ready to get rocked!):

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/42755

By: Bert

Bert — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:38:47 +0000

Another weird coincidence – I’ve had a couple of occasions to party in LaCrosse, WI (Oktoberfest!). I can vouch for JFRANKO and Talaga, that town knows how to show some goofy looking, hard-drinking Canadians a good time!

By: Talaga

Talaga — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:06:22 +0000

I saw Wesley perform a few times, but just like JFRANCO, the best was in La Crosse, WI at some place called The Warehouse. Most WW shows I went to usually had a jerk or two that wanted to laugh at him but the crowd in La Crosse was really into it.

His penwork was also amazing, his drawings of Chicago and on the road are so full of life. Wesley gave someone I used to know a little sketch that night in La Crosse, I wonder if he still has it.

Wesley Willis was a unique talent and I miss him, I wish he had been able to make another 500 albums.

By: JFRANKO

JFRANKO — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:53:09 +0000

I saw Wesley a couple times but the time I got the “Headbutt” was in Lacrosse WI. He brought me up on the makeshift stage, grabbed the back of my head and said “Say Rock” and I did then he said “Say Roll” I said roll. He Headbutted me after each rock/roll for a total of about 8 headbutts. I was dizzy and had a headache for the next 20 hours or so. Loved it, his documentary is worth watching and I miss him.

Rock over London, Rock on Chicago, Diet Pepsi, you got the right one baby.

By: Bert

Bert — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:35:15 +0000

What a lovely surprise on a Thursday morning. I’ve been a Wesley fan since I first saw his video for “Alanis Morrisette” on Muchmusic sometime in 1995 or so. I had the pleasure of seeing him (and meeting him) live in Winnipeg in 2001, and yes, I managed to get greeted with a headbutt after the friend in line in front of me chickened out. A very surreal experience.

Obviously you’re going to laugh at most of Wesley’s tunes, but I don’t think anyone needs to feel awkward about that because he clearly loved expressing himself that way, and loved to make his fans happy.

Thanks for the harmony joy ride!

By: nikki

nikki — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:50:48 +0000

This is awesome. My old roommate attended Northwestern and adored Wesley Willis and introduced me to his artistry about 4 years ago. My life has been a happier one for it.

During SXSW a couple of years, a band I was booking and I bonded over Rock N Roll McDonald’s when they saw it on my ipod. I only wish I had known of him earlier and been able to witness his unique genius live.

Wheaties, breakfast of champions.

By: Cat MacKinnon

Cat MacKinnon — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:10:49 +0000

i saw Wesley around ’97 or ’98, IIRC, with a bunch of friends. he played at some divey little cafe that occasionally had shows.

Wesley sat down with us at our table and hung out with us for about half an hour, and it was really cool to listen to him talk. he had this childlike innocence about him, even though he was very aware of the world around him. it was refreshing to say the least, and he was a really sweet guy, perpetual callous on his forehead and all.

…and yes, he did headbutt one of my friends (and gave him a mild concussion, which we found out the next day!) being all of 5’2″ (and Wesley being a pretty big guy), i strategically wedged myself between two other people so as to avoid his preferred greeting, which i gathered was fairly painful according to my friends. but it was still a memorable evening, and one i doubt i’ll ever forget!

rock over London, rock on mental_floss! thanks for the joyrides!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:15:14 +0000

This is righteous!

recaptcha- your upson

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:59:15 +0000

Don’t discount is artistry, his pen work was amazing.

By: tona b.

tona b. — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:03:41 +0000

I really wish I’d gotten to hear Willis live and gotten a headbutt!

I saw the documentary at SXSW. It was amazing. Willis was an authentic and driven artist, musician, and human being. He struggled against his mental demons much more than against societal norms.

HIs music was like nothing else! I hope he’s still kicking batman’s ass in a heaven of eternal joyrides!