He also collaborated with several members of R.E.M. After the release of The Envoy in 1982, Zevon effectively quit his career as a full-time occupation, appearing rarely and usually solo, without a band. (His fourth album, Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School is dedicated to novelist Ross Macdonald, who crucially assisted Zevon during a particularly difficult episode in 1979.) Apparently success did not treat Zevon well, as evidenced by his movements (living on Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square, etc.), well-documented stints in rehab, and withdrawal from the spotlight. 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.įor 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 and drugs. In 1978 Zevon released his breakthrough album, Excitable Boy, to critical acclaim and popular success. Zevon's first tour in 1977 included guest appearances in the middle of Jackson Browne concerts. 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 in 1976, The Eagles, who appeared on that first album, and Linda Ronstadt, who would record several early Zevon songs including a hit version of 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me'. Together, they penned Zevon's classic 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner.' His dissatisfaction with his career and the opportunities for a song-writer led him to move to Spain briefly, where he played in a small bar owned by a former mercenary. In the early 70s he toured regularly with the Everly Brothers as keyboard player and band leader/musical coordinator.

His first attempt at a solo album, Wanted Dead or Alive (1969), did not fare well, and his second effort, Leaf in the Wind, was scrapped (though release was considered just prior to his death). Another early composition ('She Quit Me') was included in the soundtrack for Midnight Cowboy, released in 1969. He wrote several songs for his White Whale label-mates the Turtles, though his participation in their recording is unknown. He turned to a musical career early, including a stretch as part of a Sonny and Cher-type male/female duo called Lyme and Cybelle, and spent time as a session musician (notably as piano player for the Everly Brothers) and jingle composer. At the age of 12/13, Warren Zevon was a regular visitor to the home of Igor Stravinsky where he, along with Robert Craft, would study music. He was born to a Russian Jewish father and a Mormon mother and soon moved to California. Letterman later performed guest vocals on 'Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song)' with Paul Shaffer and members of the CBS Orchestra. He was a frequent guest on Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with David Letterman. Other well-known songs written by Zevon have been recorded by other artists, including 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me' (a top 40 hit by Linda Ronstadt), 'Accidentally Like a Martyr,' 'Mohammed's Radio', 'Carmelita', and 'Hasten Down the Wind'.Īlong with his own compositions, Zevon recorded or performed occasional covers, including Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' and Leonard Cohen's 'First We Take Manhattan'. His best-known compositions include 'Werewolves of London', 'Lawyers, Guns and Money', 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner' and 'Johnny Strikes Up The Band,' all of which are featured on his third album, Excitable Boy (1978). Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known musicians, including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. Warren William Zevon (JanuSeptember 7, 2003) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his unique and sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.

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