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• Tom Waits is an American Singer-Songwriter, composer and actor who is known for his distinctive growling vocals and experimental musical tastes.

• Fast Facts

  1. Name: Thomas Alan Waits
  2. Born: December 7, 1949
  3. Hometown: Pomona, California
  4. Grammy Awards: 2
  5. Married to Kathleen Brennan, listed as co-songwriter on Waits songs since 1985
  6. Has sued several companies (including Frito-Lay and Audi) for the unauthorized use of his songs and vocal styles in commercials and jinglesStereogum: Tom Waits To Sue

• Career and Transitions

  After learning piano at an early age, Waits began by playing gigs in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas. After signing to Asylum Records in 1972, he released his debut album Closing Time. While not an immediate success, many of the songs on the album were covered by other artists, including The Eagles and Tim Buckley. His next three albums solidified his sound earned him a growing legion of fans and admirers. Waits' sound began to shift in the 1980s as he began to experiment with using unorthodox instruments, darker themes, theatrical flourishes and guttural vocals. Besides music, Waits has also explored a varied career as an actor and has been featured in a number of films.

• Related Mahalo Pages

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