08/22/03: Rock Star Wesley Willis Dead at 40

[Tionlee@xxxxxxx]

08/22/03: Rock Star Wesley Willis Dead at 40 
Dear Friends and fellow Wesleynauts, 
We are deeply saddened to report that one of our artists, Wesley Willis 
passed away yesterday, Thursday, August 21st. Wesley will be greatly 
missed by all that had the privilege to know him, as well as the fans 
who have been fortunate enough to experience his genius. 

Wesley was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) at the end 
of 2002, and had to undergo emergency surgery on June 2nd to identify 
the source of, and to suppress internal bleeding. It is not clear if 
this bleeding was related to his leukemia or not, and the exact cause of 
death is still unknown. Wesley had been recovering at a Hospice in 
Illinois, and since the surgery his health had deteriorated rapidly. 

His songs were simultaneously disturbing, hilarious, blunt, and 
intoxicating. Wesley's sheer excitement and unaffected honesty about 
every cultural phenomenon, defined his music as truly individual, and 
truly punk rock. 

Wesley released well over 50 albums - 3 of which are on Alternative 
Tentacles, and a 4th, entitled, Wesley Willis Greatest Hits Vol. 3 (CD) 
had already been scheduled for release in October of this year. 

For more information on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, please visit 

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