Warren Zevon Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer

Written by Eric Olsen
Published September 12, 2002

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However, Zevon had fallen prey to alcoholism, and his personal demons sidelined him for the next two years; 1980's Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School and 1981's live set Stand in the Fire marked his gradual return to form, and the promise of his early work was restored on 1982's brilliant release The Envoy. The album fared miserably on the charts, however, and Zevon again fell off the wagon. A long period of therapy and counseling followed before, newly sober and revitalized, he issued Sentimental Hygiene in 1987, recorded with backing assistance from members of R.E.M. (In 1990, another collection of material from the sessions featuring Zevon and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry was released under the name Hindu Love Gods.) He continued his comeback in 1989 with Transverse City, a concept record inspired by science fiction's cyberpunk movement, and 1991's Mr. Bad Example. In 1993, Zevon issued his second live album, Learning to Flinch, followed in 1995 by Mutineer. His next studio effort, Life'll Kill Ya, did not appear until early 2000. It was a moderate success, enough to inspire him to step back into the studio after touring the US. My Ride's Here, which featured a guest appearance from David Letterman of all people, was released in the spring of 2002.

UPDATE 9/13/02
The LA Times talks to Warren, Jackson Browne:

"He is a standard-bearer; he's very adventurous and there's a confidence and power that translates to effectiveness," said Browne, producer of two Zevon albums in the '70s. "There's a literacy, not just of words but also an emotional literacy. The coin of that realm is honesty and vulnerability. But then, you know, there's a berserk quality to the whole thing when it's done."

"Berserk" is a word that was often used to describe Zevon in his younger years. Like gonzo writer Thompson, the Chicago-born musician's view of an artist's life was something along the lines of parachuting while drunk and blindfolded.

"He is among the wildest people I've ever met," Browne said. "I always remember him just tearing off into the night in Morocco one time, drunk, by himself. For him, it was all about trials by fire."

Zevon left that life behind two decades ago, and the singer describes himself now as a better performer, a far superior father and a much-improved driver.

In a grim twist that could fit into one of his songs, in the past year Zevon has been a gym rat ("I was working out more than Vin Diesel," he says) and assumed that his shortness of breath and the tightness in his chest were side effects of his regimen.

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A Quiet Normal Life: The Best of Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
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Life'll Kill Ya
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Warren Zevon Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer: Published: September 12, 2002; Type:; Section: Music; Filed Under: Music: News, Music: Rock; Writer: Eric Olsen; Eric Olsen's BC Writer page; Eric Olsen's personal site

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Comments

#1 — September 12, 2002 @ 15:48PM — Phil Freeman

This is, indeed, terrible news. Warren Zevon is the Raymond Chandler of songwriting. That's about the highest compliment I can pay. I mean, who's gonna fill those shoes?

#2 — September 12, 2002 @ 17:53PM — Paul A'Barge [URL]

Clicked on the Nancy Nall link. No mention of Mr Zevon. Clicked on some of her archives. No mention of Mr Zevon.

#3 — September 12, 2002 @ 18:31PM — Eric Olsen

Nancy passed the information on to me - she'll have something on WZ tonight.

#4 — September 12, 2002 @ 20:34PM — Nance [URL]

Sorry, Paul. I'm not a blogger in the updated-all-day mold. Just one diary entry at the end of the day, which I'm working on, which will be Zevon-heavy tonight, I suspect.

#5 — September 12, 2002 @ 21:48PM — Slattery [URL]

Zevon collaborated a while back with Carl Hiaasen in the Floridian author's latest foray into the world of bizarre criminality --- BASKET CASE.

Zevon and Hiaasen penned a song together, Basket Case, an MP3 which is available at Hiaasen's web site..

#6 — September 13, 2002 @ 17:32PM — Hazy Dave

Well I went to the doctor,
I said "I'm feeling kinda rough."
"Let me break it to you, son
Your shit's fucked up."

I said, "My shit's fucked up?
Well, I don't see how."
He said, The shit that used to work
Don't work now."

...As a man of a certain age, I've been relating strongly to these lyrics from Life'll Kill Ya in recent months. Very sorry to hear of Warren's prognosis.

#7 — September 16, 2002 @ 10:55AM — PJ Conley

"But then I knew it was bad when the doctor came in with the CAT scan in his hand, closed the door and gave me a glass of water and said, 'I need to tell you something.' "

WZ captures this event perfectly in his song My Shit's Fucked Up (on Life'll Kill Ya). Having been diagnosed with cancer as well at one point, this is an incredibly poignant song which many miss because of the profanity of it.

-pjc

#8 — September 19, 2002 @ 01:15AM — Christopher McCallum

Devastated to hear the news about the wolf man. Hope he and Jackson touch ground and put a few tunes down real soon.

#9 — October 16, 2002 @ 23:18PM — Stevie Z

Damn. It was listening to Warren Zevon that I realized what indeed a truly GREAT song was, and he greatly influences my songwriting to this day. He reminded me that 3 or 4 chords is all you need, as long as you have something worthwhile to say. I have been hoping that he would put out an album soon, and I hope that his remaining days are as fulfilling to him as they can be. Thanks, Mr. Zevon, for giving me some great stuff to hook onto.

Stevie Z

#10 — October 19, 2002 @ 11:02AM — Kevin Lee

I had the whole crew at work singing the phrase
monkey wash donkey rinse for weeks. Thev're still trying to figure it out.My life's a better
place due to your slick absurdities.My buddy
turned me on to "Learning to Flinch " while I
was doing an anchor watch over the Andrea Doria
in '95 and I've been tuned in since. THANKS

#11 — October 20, 2002 @ 22:31PM — bobG

Music has always held such an important place in my life. When all else fails, i listen to good music, and things somehow seem better.
Warren was "the guy" who wrote much of that good music, and helped me over some rough times in my life...
Wish there was someway i could return the favor...

#12 — October 20, 2002 @ 22:32PM — bobG

#13 — October 31, 2002 @ 03:37AM — Conley

Zevon is great to have around.

#14 — November 2, 2002 @ 16:44PM — Rob [URL]

Did anyone see David Letterman on 10/30/02? Warren was the only guest, talked about his music, his cancer, and sang Mutineer, genius, and Roland the Headless Thompson gunner. He was ironic and sad and hilarious. Great show.

#15 — November 8, 2002 @ 21:17PM — K. Schultz

I discovered Warren Zevon around 1978, and he has since been my favorite artist (At 52, I'm still rockin'!). No... more than that, but there really aren't any proper words of appreciation.

I've been to every performance of his that I could manage, and was never disappointed. To say that I am a fan is... well, my black German Shepherd's name is "Zevon", and my KaZaA username is "exciteableboy". When I heard the news of his terminal illness it were as if one of my closest friends had just received the death sentence... devastating!

His dark humor and views on life somewhat parallel my own, which, perhaps is the connection I feel so acutely. But then, if he were to read this, I know that he might also twitch a lip in half a smile and think that MY shit was fucked up, and that I should get on with it and enjoy every bite of my sandwich before the Grim Reaper catches up with ME.

I will miss his presence dearly, and will mourn the absence of all the music that he would have given us. Yet, I will celebrate his life and all that he has been able to give us. Farewell to a friend. Know that your fans hold a genuine love for you.

#16 — November 11, 2002 @ 12:31PM — MarkD

Amen, Brother K.Schultz!
WZ will be sadly missed. So grateful to have discovered his music. Can't help but smile every time I hear a tune.
Thank you, WarrenZ.

#17 — November 11, 2002 @ 14:38PM — ellen

having lost a loved one to mesothelioma a few years ago, music was a great solace, and i blasted Zevon all the time. his lyrics and music helped ease the pain and sorrow. how ironic to lose him now to the same insidious disease. his master of language and the human condition was the best. his appearance on Letterman was pure "class and courage".

#18 — November 11, 2002 @ 14:42PM — ELLEN

would appreciate it so very much if someone has a tape of Warren's 10/30/02 appearance on the Letterman show (mine did not come out, and if I were as talented as WZ, I'd write a lyric about that). Thanks!

#19 — November 11, 2002 @ 22:18PM — John [URL]

Warren is the best. Let's continue the work to get him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also, I'd like to see a tribute album with some of his friends covering his songs -- albeit most will be unable match the virtuosity of the originals, it would be good to hear.

#20 — November 12, 2002 @ 02:29AM — K L Chee

I have all of WZ's records/CDs. He gave me over 20 years of fantastic/great music. Thanks Warren.

#21 — November 20, 2002 @ 18:42PM — John Stodder

Just FYI, mesothelioma, which I learned from Rolling Stone is the cancer Warren has, does not result from smoking, drinking or partying like a rock star. It is an environmental cancer generally caused by exposure to asbestos (although there are other theories, such as exposure to SV-40, a simian virus that showed up in early polio vaccines that US, UK and Canadian kids of Zevon's generation got). I had a family member die of this disease at age 46. It is a horrible cancer, which can be palliated but there's no cure. I only say this because the overall tone of media coverage is that Warren accepts that his lifestyle led to this outcome. If it did, it's because he worked somewhere and was exposed to asbestos, or some other environmental contaminant, and not because he stayed too long at the fair.

#22 — November 20, 2002 @ 18:42PM — John Stodder

#23 — November 20, 2002 @ 18:42PM — John Stodder [URL]

#24 — November 20, 2002 @ 18:43PM — John Stodder [URL]

#25 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:30AM — Betty Brevig

To Warren...your songs have given me many years of pure enjoyment & delight. Your music and spirit will live on in my heart always. I wish you an eternity of peace, music and love...& I hope that you know how much you are respected. I saw you perform only once (live in Virginia Beach)and it was nothing less than remarkable. You will be missed in more ways than you will ever know. My heart aches for you & your family. You're the BEST...the world is a much cooler place because you've been in it. All my love to you & yours.

#26 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:31AM — Betty Brevig

#27 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:32AM — Betty Brevig

#28 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:33AM — Betty Brevig

#29 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:33AM — Betty Brevig

#30 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:34AM — Betty Brevig

#31 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:36AM — Betty Brevig

To Warren...your songs have given me many years of pure enjoyment & delight. Your music and spirit will live on in my heart always. I wish you an eternity of peace, music and love...& I hope that you know how much you are respected. I saw you perform only once (live in Virginia Beach) and it was nothing less than remarkable. You will be missed in more ways than you will ever know. My heart aches for you & your family. You're the BEST...the world is a much cooler place because you've been in it. All my love to you & yours.

#32 — November 24, 2002 @ 03:36AM — Betty Brevig

To Warren...your songs have given me many years of pure enjoyment & delight. Your music and spirit will live on in my heart always. I wish you an eternity of peace, music and love...& I hope that you know how much you are respected. I saw you perform only once (live in Virginia Beach) and it was nothing less than remarkable. You will be missed in more ways than you will ever know. My heart aches for you & your family. You're the BEST...the world is a much cooler place because you've been in it. All my love to you & yours.

#33 — June 16, 2003 @ 12:10PM — Greg [URL]

Can anyone tell me if Warren is still alive? I was told that he is not but I don't know. Thank you
Greg

#34 — June 16, 2003 @ 12:13PM — Phillip Winn [URL]

Indeed, Greg, and now a double-grandfather to boot.

#35 — August 15, 2003 @ 22:52PM — Peter Fumberger

Am very saddened to hear the news of Warren's illness. Have been a great fan since 1979, when a friend on HMAS Melbourne put me on to WZ when we were in Hawaii for the RIMPAC exercises. Had the pleasure of seeing him live in Sydney about 10 years ago, in a pub, and being right at the front brought it all home just how wonderful an artist he is. He even allowed me to take several photos as he finished for the night, and I also have a signed copy of 'Warren Zevon', plus a few of the picks he discarded. I love his music & lyrics, especially the soaring guitar work on classics like 'Play it all night long'.
I wish WZ all the best in the next few months, and hope that his quality of life remains as it is today. Having lost my mother to cancer only 6 weeks ago, I know how difficult a time it may be for him. All the best and thank you for bringing me, and countless others, many many hours of pleasure. You are rightly a legend.

#36 — August 27, 2003 @ 01:12AM — monita

I've always been a fan. Every year that Warren Z performed at "Sugarloaf", I'd intend to be there. Someting always came up...I'm so sorry I never made the time.
We watched the VH-1 special the other night...very touching. My husband has mesothelioma.
Very, very sad!

#37 — August 27, 2003 @ 08:23AM — Eric Olsen

Thanks Peter and Monita - it's great to hear from fans. And the very best to your husband as well, Monita.

#38 — August 29, 2003 @ 23:38PM — Lana

But he's not dead...and won't ever attain that hallowed status...he made the mistake of writing musical lyrics like no one else.Damn you,you magnificent bastard...I'm not the only one who will listen to you as long as I live. And trust me,I will continue to spread/share (pick your adjective) your music amongst all I know...music that bites and stings simultaneously.

#39 — August 31, 2003 @ 19:11PM — Steve [URL]

Warren has the kind of "precious mettle" that shines brighter and longer than gold or platinum. He shows how love and humor casts out fear. This guy is immortal.

#40 — September 1, 2003 @ 22:18PM — Ben

No Songs matter since i;ve been singing your lyrics in my head 24-7 for over a year now ....Your'e a class act, my friend, I'll see you on the other side..

#41 — September 3, 2003 @ 19:11PM — Lynn

I'm so glad I grew up in Warren's generation of some depth of lyric and true musicianship. Today's scene is a wasteland of disposable acts of supreme superficiality and narcissism. Thank you Warren for your many shades of philosophic musings, undercut by those bluesy rockin' licks. Get the message here folks: life is short, even if you live to 100. Life is precious even when it seems it isn't. And enjoy every sandwich.

#42 — September 9, 2003 @ 16:38PM — Jon ALlen

Man, I just gotta give up this smokin' crap. But givin' up my tequila is entirely out of the question.

#43 — September 9, 2003 @ 22:11PM — dave from montreal

damn a great one is gone. loved his words and his sounds. at least we'll still be able to listen - and remember - peace to you wz. daveg

#44 — September 9, 2003 @ 22:30PM — Natalie Davis [URL]

My dad died late this morning. I hope he runs into WZ on his new journey. Now *that* would be cool. The two of them had similar attitudes, similar senses of humor. They would get along like the proverbial peas in a pod.

#45 — September 10, 2003 @ 17:51PM — pete

i didn't discover your music till this year 2003 .....thanxs wz i'll catch up now.....you make me smile,,,,
pete

#46 — September 15, 2003 @ 03:20AM — Allyson Moore [URL]

Hi Everyone,

Just thought you might like to know that DIG (The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's internet radio station) has put up the transcript of an interview Warren completed with one of our journos, as a mark of respect on his passing.

You can find the interview at:
http://www.abc.net.au/dig/stories/s944032.htm

Hope you can pass the info on to other fans.

Regards,
Allyson Moore
Marketing Manager
DIG Internet Radio
MUSIC WITH DEPTH
w: http://www.abc.net.au/dig

#47 — September 15, 2003 @ 08:04AM — Eric Olsen

Thanks Allyson, will do

#48 — December 9, 2003 @ 19:24PM — Cal

1978 concert at UCSB stadium, with several groups that included a nobody band called "WHAQUE", "ELVIN BISHOP" , and the "GRATEFUL DEAD ". Of course it was a concert headlining the "DEAD". And most everybody there was for that. Dumb group came on and got booed off the the stage. They maybe played three songs at best before they left. Then came "WARRON ZEVON". He stumbled on to the stage and sat down on his piano bench and started to play a song. Nobody really cared what it was the crowed didnt care. And he too got booed. Only this guy was'nt going to leave. And with his fifth of whiskey he proceeded to tell the crowd just what he thought of them. "...Ah, Fuck the grateful dead...you bunch of fucking sixties rejects..." And pounded out "werewolves..." in a very ugly way...then he too left the the stage.

#49 — December 9, 2003 @ 19:50PM — Eric Olsen

Dude was very angry for a long time, hence the irony of handling disease and death so well.

#50 — December 9, 2003 @ 20:16PM — Craig Lyndall [URL]

This kind of act by an audience is bullshit. I went to see Primus open up for Rush back at the old Richfield Coliseum and all the mulleted redneck rush fans booed Primus, who I was there to see. I don't care who your favorite band is. If they are playing a big venue then they probably had the power to choose their own support acts. Booing them off the stage is an insult to the guys who picked em who are the ones you are probably there to see. Shut your face and try and expand your horizons morons. Sorry, I am still bitter.

#51 — December 10, 2003 @ 08:44AM — Eric Olsen

I agree entirely - unless an act is aggressively obnoxious, show them some common courtesy and expand your horizons at the same time.

#52 — December 10, 2003 @ 12:25PM — Mark Saleski [URL]

yea, i've never understood that either. gees, you pay all that money for a ticket, why not try to get the most out of it?

side note: i saw Primus open for Fishbone...there were some Primus-newbies sitting behing me who were disturbed at the crowd's "Primus Sucks!" outbursts...they kept saying to each other "why do the think Primus sucks...i think they're great".

i didn't have the heart to tell 'em the truth.

#53 — December 10, 2003 @ 12:27PM — Eric Olsen

At least they cared.

#54 — February 17, 2004 @ 20:02PM — grimmy

Thank You Warren for the soundtrack of my life. Sadly missed and loved. Got to see you at sugarloaf usa Maine. Thanks for all that you have meant in my life.

#55 — August 7, 2004 @ 22:45PM — lithium circus [URL]

On this subject of being booed on stage I remember a sacramento concert with Y&T, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Sammy Hagar. Everyone booed SRV also and he played an even longer set than usual and was great. I also saw Stu Hamm playing with Satriani and everyone was yelling "STUUUU" but it sounded like "BOOOOO" so go figure. Its a tough life being an artist. Once in Germany during Metallica's first tour the kids were spitting on them, so the tour manager stuck a hammer up his sleeve and went out into the audience and smacked the guys that were doing it in the head and took them out. Thats what its like on the road. Im sure Warren found the bad times just as invigorating as the good times. It made him know he was alive. I wish he still was.

K

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