Tom Waits

Tom Waits
Tom Waits
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Alan Waits
Born	December 7, 1949 (aged 75); Pomona, California, United States
Genres	Rock, experimental
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician, actor, composer
Instruments	Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active	1972–present
Labels	Asylum Records, Island Records, ANTI-
Website	Official website

Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and composer. He is known for his distinct voice, electric instrumentation, and occasionally surreal lyrics. His work often includes elements of the blues, jazz, and musical theatre.

Tom Waits Media

Waits as a high-school senior at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, California in 1967. He dropped out at the age of 18.^[1]
The Troubadour in West Hollywood, where Waits's performances brought him to the attention of Herb Cohen and David Geffen
Waits met and had an intermittent romantic relationship with Bette Midler (pictured here in 1981) and collaborated with her on the song "I Never Talk to Strangers".
In 1977, Waits began a relationship with singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones (pictured here in 2008); their work and styles influenced each other.
Publicity photo of Waits taken by Greg Gorman, c. 1979–80
Francis Ford Coppola (pictured in 1976) convinced Waits to leave New York City and return to Los Angeles to score his film One from the Heart.
In New York City, Waits shared a workspace with jazz musician John Lurie (pictured in 2013).
Waits appeared in several films by Jim Jarmusch (pictured in 2013).
The Thalia in Hamburg, where The Black Rider and Alice were first performed
In March 1999, Waits performed at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas.