This week we celebrate a legend that is truly deserving of the title. Ending our October theme (though I thought of extending it due to Halloween/Dia de los Muertos/All Saints Day being next week) we have an artist that died too young and whose talents are not recognized as well as they should be in the musical world. With 12 studio albums, countless musical collaborations, and a life with a story worth telling, we here at Enter the Shell (dot com) acknowledge the late, great Warren Zevon as our legendary artist of the week.
Warren Zevon began his musical training early in life, learning piano and visiting the house of neo-classical composer Igor Stravinsky. Prior to Zevon’s work as his own singer-songwriter, he held various jobs in the music industry. From writing jingles to being a session musician to writing songs for the Turtles, Zevon finally recorded his first solo album, Wanted Dead or Alive, in 1969. The album received little attention, but did not trump his love of music. Warren then toured with each of the Everly Brothers during their split as their keyboardist and coordinator. It wasn’t until the release of Zevon’s third album, Excitable Boy, released in 1978 that he gained the nation’s attention.
Excitable Boy was Zevon’s first, and for many years, only major success and his only one to reach the Billboard top 10. It was this album that featured such famous tracks as “Werewolves of London,” “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” and the title track, “Excitable Boy.” Though Warren Zevon’s later albums never received the critical acclaim that Excitable Boy did, rendering them underappreciated and underrated, his subsequent albums definitely highlighted his talents as a songwriter and his talents as a musical giant.
Zevon’s writing and love of writing propelled him towards projects and friendships with novelists. Warren would go on to work with such writers as Mitch Albom, Stephen King, and Hunter S. Thompson. But writers and musicians weren’t the only friends that helped Zevon in his musical journey. In the early 80’s Warren Zevon made his first appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. From that appearance sprang a friendship that would last the rest of Zevon’s life. Zevon had told Letterman that the talk-show host was the best thing for his music and occasionally subbed in for the late-night keyboardist, Paul Shaffer. Prior to Zevon’s death, he gave Letterman his guitar, telling him to “take good care of it.”
In the fall of 2002 Zevon was diagnosed with lung cancer and told that his illness would take his life within months. Refusing treatment and understanding that his end was near, Warren Zevon set out to make his final album, The Wind, set around his life and acceptance of his fate.  The album featured guests such as Dwight Yoakam, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Billy Bob Thornton, as well as Zevon’s son, Jordan, and many others wanting to contribute. Throughout his final year, Warren maintained his light-hearted mannerisms and was able to joke about his condition, stating that he had learned to “enjoy every sandwich.” Zevon also shared with David Letterman on his program that he shouldn’t have neglected going to the doctor’s for 20 years.
Warren Zevon passed away at age 56 on September 7th, 2003, but not before the release of the Wind, and the birth of his grandsons. While the world lost a phenomenal musician, they were also exposed to the story of Warren Zevon as well as the music that he brought to life. With the links below, hopefully you can hear the life for yourself. Enjoy and have a happy Halloween!
Useful Links
Jordan Zevon (Warren’s son, also a good musician)
First interview with Letterman