Those who have not been exposed to the musical legacy of Wesley Willis might be surprised to see what they are missing. Willis, a 6-foot-5, 300 to 350-pound man living with schizophrenia, has written such classics as "I whooped Batman's ass," "Cut the Mullet," "Rock and Roll McDonald's" and "Alanis Morissette." Many of his songs are about everyday things and some are about losing weight. In addition to a devoted legion of fans, well-known musicians like Eddie Vedder support the Chicago native's music.\nWillis is one of many musicians appearing in Culture Shock, a music festival sponsored by WIUS AM 1570 Saturday in Dunn Meadow. Others bands performing include The John Wilkes Booze Explosion, The Holistic Experience, The Sissies and Little Joe Gould.\nI am a little apprehensive when I first call him, not knowing what to expect. Once we start talking, I know Willis is in a good mood. He asks me if I have heard his music, and I say I have. He asks me if I like it, and I say I do. Then, he asks me how I am doing, and I say I am doing great. The conversation proceeds from that point like this:\n \nWesley Willis: Say rock.\nKatie Cierniak: Say rock?\nWillis: mmm-hmm.\nKC: Rock.\nWillis: Say roll.\nKC: Roll.\nWillis: Say rock.\nKC: Rock.\nWillis: Say roll.\nKC: Roll!\nWillis: AAAAIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!\n(This scream was one of excitement. Throughout the conversation, Willis mentioned how much he loved rock and roll repeatedly, and this was just the beginning.)
KC: What inspires you to keep writing songs?\nWillis: I just keep trying to stay out of trouble. I don't have time to deal with the police. I want to be a rock star and play rock and roll music. I love playing rock music. That's how I make my money.\nI do drawings too, and I'm going to have them with me (in Bloomington).\nKC: Are there any particular places or things you like to draw?\nWillis: I draw buildings and buses of different streets. That's how I make my money. I love it a lot. I love it. \nKC: So, it's a lot like your music in that way.\nWillis: I love my music as well.\nKC: You write a lot of songs about people and bands that you like. Do you feel it's important to pay homage to them?\nWillis: Yeah, I do. I like the Stone Temple Pilots and Ted Nugent. I like bands such as the Damn Yankees.\nKC: Have you ever gotten to see them live?\nWillis: No, not yet.\nKC: You have a lot of support from mainstream musicians like Eddie Vedder. (I mention how when Pearl Jam played in Chicago in 1995, Eddie Vedder mentioned that Wesley Willis was there and that they were very lucky to have him there.) What's that like?\nWillis: He mentioned my name?\nKC: Yeah.\nWillis: Yeah. I like it. I'm glad. I love to be a rock star. I love him.\nKC: How has rock and roll affected your life?\nWillis: Well, I've got a new album coming out in a month. It's called Rock Ball C Car. It's got lots of rock songs on. (He mentions some songs are from the demons in his head.)\nKC: Do the demons influence some songs, and are their songs different from your songs?\nWillis: Yeah. I'm just gonna try to keep my butt busy.\nKC: In a few of your songs, you mention comic book characters. Do you read a lot of comics?\nWillis: Yeah.\nKC: Which ones?\nWillis: I read the "Mighty Thor."\nKC: What do you like about the "Mighty Thor"?\nWillis: I just love rockin it well. I'm just gonna see what I should do.\nKC: So, what can we expect from Wesley Willis in the future?\nWillis: Gonna expect a lot of CDs from me. I'm gonna keep going on here.\nKC: Any advice for your fans?\nWillis: Rock and roll pays off.
