Interview with Tom Waits, Shryock Auditorium, 1979

Clip of Phil Ranstrom's interview with musician Tom Waits at the Shryock Auditorium in Carbondale, IL on October 9, 1979. They discuss Waits's creative process, upcoming album (Heartattack and Vine), relationship with Rickie Lee Jones, and childhood. Produced by Ranstrom and directed by Dan Hathaway.
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[@CipherSerpico]

If you turn off the volume, it looks like someone off-screen keeps asking Tom questions, and his answer is always yes.

[@465marko]

I love Tom Waits, the guy rocks

[@cuntinakia8122]

+465marko I see what you did there.

[@DownloadingTitts]

+Blitzpunk de what did he do.

[@vman339]

He rocked... Back and forth. The whole damn interview.

[@tommyfazz1825]

465marko and I

[@SmackWaterJack001]

@@lauranatale389 - not true, it was an act, and he eventually stopped doing it.

[@51MontyPython]

You just can't help but to love this guy.

[@circakda1]

great how he can take lame interviewers questions and make them interesting

[@troothteller2846]

Ha! If you knew anything about Waits, you'd know he is the 'opposite' of what you said, especially when he was younger. Waits doesn't carry interviewers, he's notorious for not doing that many on camera interviews because most talk show interviewers are pretty superficial. He does not suffer fools very well at all, and he's been known to mock interviewers, or just give short answers to get out of it when there wasn't any chemistry or mutual respect. For a young guy like this (a student?) to hang with Waits and keep the discussion going is pretty remarkable. I'm a longtime Waits fan and have seen other video interviews he's done on major talk shows with pro interviewers and this is the best one I've seen in terms of getting him to open up and reveal personal and creative details like he does.

[@hannahlelievre]

I definitely agree with you! Other interviews on talk shows, he's very shy and if he's not interested in the conversation he didn't really participate. In this interview I think he genuinely likes the interviewer (who seems pretty inexperienced and pretty nervous to be interviewing Tom Waits) and goes into specifics.

[@adamisaac4685]

The man oozes creativity. Also I think he’s on some heroine.

[@TheChristafershawn]

More like uppers of some sort.

[@51MontyPython]

... channeled state of focus, which allows them to develop more readily their skills and understanding of things in ways that most others would never have the interest in to focus on or to take the time to learn. I believe that is why one of the biggest traits known to these is one of singular, narrow interests. You tend to be able to focus on and be more motivated in those areas where you actually have a genuine interest, and if everything else out there that other people seem to care (cont..

[@gregorylincoln5331]

The man is his art.

[@51MontyPython]

... to play the ENTIRE score just from listening to it once, and do so NOTE FOR NOTE, and flawlessly at that. As someone who plays a little myself, I fully appreciate this ability. It is beyond my comprehension. Just fascinating. Okay, once again, I've spent WAAAY to much time on this, so, I'll stop here. (Normally, I wouldn't have bothered to post this much in a comment section but I'm sure a lot of people who relate to our friend Mr. Waits here would appreciate it, and I know (cont...

[@gondwanandreams7635]

What are you talking about? Did Tom do this? Can you link??

[@51MontyPython]

@@gondwanandreams7635 No, not Tom. I typed out a bunch of comments way back when YT had yet to update their character limit and so if you wanted to type out a long comment you had to do "(cont...." at the end of each section so people would know it wasn't the end of the comment, and then keep replying to yourself. Somehow, in updating everything over the years, all of my comments are jumbled and disjointed so that you can't follow them from beginning to end. I went ahead and copied/pasted the beginning of that original comment, as follows: "Oh, and one more interesting thing I'll mention was this 29 year old, blind, fully autistic dude I saw on one of those special documentary type of things: This guy could not, or at least, could barely count to 10, and YET, he played piano, VERY well. In fact, you could play a piece of piano music that he has NEVER heard before, play it ONE time, and that guy could then proceed [to play the entire score...etc.]" The reason I happened to mention it was because I had gotten onto a jag about the autistic spectrum, given that apparently everyone and their aunt and uncle seems to think they know the real reason for Tom's eccentric mannerisms and personality, when they actually don't, so I was providing people with a little education on it. My original comments are all still there, if you search through, just jumbled up and spread out (unlike when I initially typed them out, but the change in the interface messed it all up. At least they finally got rid of their Twitterish character limit. Now if only they would stop censoring people...

[@gondwanandreams7635]

​@@51MontyPython ah yes, i got you man. Apparently Mozart could do exactly that (hear a piece one time and then perfectly recite the entire thing from memory), but I don't know that I'd put Waits in that category. I don't know for sure, but my first impression is that he's a skilled pianist (but not a savant) and that his eccentric personality is partly from the drugs and also partly his gimmick. I think it's a bit of a character he's putting on. Just my impression

[@51MontyPython]

@@gondwanandreams7635 Nah, the drugs were actually a _symptom_ of exactly what I'm talking about (It was a crutch to make him feel comfortable in his own skin, especially in a world that he has a hard time relating to. I think he has significantly/visibly improved over the years, especially after getting sober). I'm quite familiar with the subject. You can see one interview where he is rocking back and forth in his chair (and I mean _really_ rocking back and forth), a textbook autistic trait. It's called, "stimming." There was a fully autistic boy I went to school with who was in special Ed. who at lunch time in the cafeteria you would see doing this all the time. He actually had a crush on my sister (who was also in Special Ed. (though not autistic)), and for a time when I was younger (about middle school), he'd come over to our house wanting to see my sister (she wasn't into him, lol), and even while he'd be standing there talking to you on the front porch, he'd be rocking back and forth, in a very strange way. The thing about the spectrum is, most people are only familiar with [full blown] autism, which usually includes mental retardation, and even those who have heard of Asperger's, don't understand just how mild it usually is or can be, compared to, and that it is quite different from, the former. What's interesting is, people who have it usually have a higher than average I.Q. (counterintuitive because that is the exact opposite of the case with full on autism), and often are very eccentric, but also very creative and/or knowledgeable in whatever their field of interest is (and include many (probably most, if not all, to varying degrees) savants (like the guy with the piano I mentioned, only he was at the other end of the spectrum). They tend to have narrow interests, a thing that they focus all their time/energy on, even to the point of obsession, which combined with their intelligence tend to become very good at, though rarely developing much in the way of 'social intelligence'. They have a hard time relating to people, even though they may still desire to have relationships. There are also different degrees of it, so that a lot (maybe most) who have it to some degree go undiagnosed, and people assume that they are just, "eccentric." A LOT of famous names (both alive today and throughout history) are thought (by those familiar enough with it) to have it, to some degree, especially a lot of creative types, but also a lot of the more reticular/analytical types (like those who can tell you everything about various stats off the top of their head, like how many homeruns and base hits this or that baseball player made in X year, ect.).

[@MrSapper21]

*Never sleep with a girl name Ruby and never play pool with a guy named Fats.

[@pitiful27]

MrSapper21 what does this mean?

[@lauranatale389]

@@pitiful27 its two movie references

[@pitiful27]

@@lauranatale389 which movies?

[@lauranatale389]

@@pitiful27 well, i forgot which movie the first one was, but wh3n he says, “never play pool with a guy named Fats", that is from The Hustler. Which is a great classic, btw. He makes another reference about it in the song "Jitterbug boy"

[@pitiful27]

@@lauranatale389dang. I was hoping you knew the movie with the Ruby line. I have actually seen The Hustler, fun movie.

[@rupertcornholio209]

This fellow is unique

[@tylerepley3770]

Tom's awesome and yes there was booze and who knows what else(not really our business) but he was a shy dude which played into his discomfort in interviews. Just a thought. Anyway you cut it he's one of a kind

[@mattzakszewski3282]

Tyler Epley He's got the same sense of social uneasiness that I experience. I think we both suffer from social anxiety

[@patriciofernandez2711]

Dan OfDunolly I don't agree, I think Tom is actually one of the most deceptive extroverts. He's an actor of sorts, kind of a circus man, his personae in those early records was a beat poet/lounge singer/drunk and he played the part perfectly, if you look at older interviews where he is more of "himself" you can see he is actually very comfortable with the attention and cracks very elaborate and hilarious jokes with great ease and timing. He's definetly a showman and I think all those drugs and alcohol and cigarettes were merely a device so he could build his character.

[@gondwanandreams7635]

@@patriciofernandez2711 I think there's truth to that. I knew someone like that once. Not so much the drugs part, but the showman part. A slightly unusual/awkward personality but delivered with charisma and good timing. In actuality it was a performance and if you really paid attention, you could detect a hint of self awareness to it all

[@patriciofernandez2711]

With "older interviews" I meant interviews where he is older, btw.

[@ElephantMen]

4:35 the girl is bobbing along with him. It's kind of contagious.

[@happycoloredmarblez]

Spot on.

[@51MontyPython]

Some already did, and even expressed their appreciation. I didn't expect most people to read it, but to those few eccentrics out there who may have never understood just why they are so different (who probably include many of Waits fans in particular), if they appreciate the info and it helps them then it was worth it. It wasn't meant for you. "jumbled rant"? If you had actually read it, you'd see that the train of thought was quite linear. I guess I should devote more of my time to (cont..

[@sarahhicks8967]

true story teller for sure. I LOVE this. To think I was just a lil girl at this point. The gravel voice... this man's music got me through more shit than any other singer.

[@51MontyPython]

... that is the human mind/brain, and how mere physical matter and electrical impulses can translate into what we understand as the soul/ego - i.e., the spirit that each of us are. It interests me both in understanding and relating to my own self as well as other people. The human brain really is the 'final frontier'. There's definitely something about this particular condition, specifically, that intrigues me, because although it is considered/classified as a 'disorder', it has (cont...

[@WhatWentWrong22441]

Its mainly because he was actually quite a shy guy, he's not as shy as he used to be.

[@OdditiesandRarities]

I legit thought this was someone impersonating him. He's so bizarre and smokes literally constantly ahha

[@51MontyPython]

... the theory of relativity. If you want to know more, check out this vid about this genius 12 year old: watch?v=hBW4S9xcTOk WATCH IT! It's fascinating! (It's a Glenn Beck vid so sorry if you don't like ol' Beck there). Also, here's a channel from a girl from Denmark with Asperger's syndrome: The AnMish channel (Beautiful girl, too, and musically talented). One interesting thing about her is that she speaks perfect American English, even though she only learned English (cont...

[@swastikausa]

tom looks like hes jonesing for a fix real bad.

[@Malouco]

donnchadh mcgrath he is high,,,,as a kite.

[@totalignoranceinc]

donnchadh mcgrath that or he just did a shit ton of speed or coke and hes fidgeting from having to sit still

[@51MontyPython]

... them feel very alone, not being able to relate to most "neurotypicals" .- A sense of being "too smart for your own good", that you just can't relate to the rest of the world and the way most people behave and carry on, - sort of can't help but to just shake your head at the world, struggling to understand the staggering level of stupidity and simple mindedness that exists within it. That is why you will see a lot of cynicism and seeming arrogance come from this demographic. One thing (cont

[@51MontyPython]

... from watching American TV. FASCINATING! She's speaks more proper English than most do in this country! Oh, and one more interesting thing I'll mention was this 29 year old, blind, fully autistic dude I saw on one of those special documentary type of things: This guy could not, or at least, could barely count to 10, and YET, he played piano, VERY well. In fact, you could play a piece of piano music that he has NEVER heard before, play it ONE time, and that guy could then proceed (cont.

[@51MontyPython]

... Grandin once pointed out (paraphrasing here) it wouldn't have been your ultra-social types that did things like discover fire, but those who were outside of the usual group, more interested in their own thing, - i.e. people on the spectrum. She's written a well known book about it called "Thinking in Pictures" (haven't read it myself), and answers questions about and speaks publicly on the issue so as to inform people on this little understood and intriguing condition. You can see (cont...

[@angelofdeath6432]

Me and Tom have so much in common but mainly on looks. I always look high as a kite and act like it and so does he, man. I got the dope eyes, mellow and weird kind of voice yet no bad vibes, and dress pretty shady I guess all in black with leather or whatever. Sorta just like him.

[@markjohnson4217]

"Being an artist is a dangerous business..." "Some of it is bound to stay on you.." Some of us have had the misfortune of experiencing this. David Bowie had a hell of a time pulling himself out of the wreckage of the character he created.

[@51MontyPython]

... particular subject, whether it be math or music, such that one is able to develop a deeper understanding of whatever area it is that their minds take interest in, even if it is more abstract in nature. Because of their disinterest in more 'common' things, and also, I believe, because of their limited ability to focus on the same distractions which seem to hold normal people's attention (ADD is also VERY commonly associated with it; they go hand in hand) this leads them into a more (cont..

[@51MontyPython]

... about it is that although you see a lot of creative types come out of it,they are commonly very logical, linear, and analytical thinkers (think Spok from Star Trek), and it fascinates me how it is that these two aspects of mind which are commonly viewed as being polar opposites are BOTH very commonly understood and observed to be attributable to it. Not sure how that works, but I believe it has to do with simply being more in tune with certain details or aspects or nuances of a (cont...

[@51MontyPython]

... some of her presentations on YT, and you can see that she definitely has her own little quirks and odd mannerisms, but she's no dummy. The best way I can relate to you (from what I know personally) about a common characteristic of those on the one end of the spectrum, and how it feels from their perspective, is that other people seem to be more simple minded and superficial, even primitive, animalistic and overly emotional or dramatic, plastic, fake, etc, and it has a way of making (cont...

[@KidsWithGuns1992]

That's very interesting and I reckon I've gotta agree on that. Loved the long explanation - definitely informative, glad someone took the time to explain rather than to assume I was trying to make a joke out of him or something mean. I initially assumed he was just on drugs, as you don't seem to see him doing this sort of stuff as an older man.

[@51MontyPython]

... that it's something that few people know much about, despite the rising frequency of it.) P.S. An older friend of mine had a buddy who went to school to be a psychiatrist, but ended up dropping out. He said the more he learned, the more he realized just how truly messed up we ALL really are. I guess he was learning more than he wanted to know - "Man, you know, WE'RE ALL FUCKIN' NUTS?!!", he said, lol :) I would tend to want to concur with that, from everything I see :) (cont..

[@51MontyPython]

No, just informed :) You could say it's a subject of particular interest to me, as is the subject of psychology in general, though I am BY NO MEANS an expert. I will add that, although no one in my family has been 'officially' diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (of course, it's only been understood as a legitimate clinical condition since the 1981 - though studied since 1944.), but I'm about 100% certain that it runs in my father's side of the family. It's intriguing the mystery (cont...

[@BingBongGump]

i like the way you move

[@51MontyPython]

... which actually heightens anxiety, defeating the purpose. The reason he appears much different in more recent years I suspect is simply due to having better learned through the years to cope with and manage it, basically, learning how to "act normal" in social settings. I think just getting to know and be more comfortable with himself, especially after ditching the deleterious crutch of booze, with his head now more clear, has allowed him to learn to be more sociable. One other (cont...

[@cubanheelsbeerbelly]

He looks like he's on uppers. He is the embodiment of a true american badass here.

[@warrenhimmel2668]

I have never seen this before. It is an absolute gem. Ahh, Tommy. sigh

[@OtoriteyiSorgula]

HE looks so in the mood to give a good interview but the interviewer is just jumping from one cliche question to another

[@YAVIAH]

Besides alcohol, i wonder what he was on while doing this interview....

[@cgm4379]

Cocaine is one hell of a drug.

[@LiamShipton]

Anyone else find themselves rocking backwards and forwards with him whilst watching this?

[@beckabluesband]

He must have a good song in his head...

[@juanpacheco1739]

6:30 "was nothing like that" love tom answers

[@BrisbaneBruce]

never seen him that comfortable in an interview lol

[@21TroubleBraids]

Somebody noticed what comparisons Mr Waits is doing? Like about the statement that he became that character he's talking about in his songs... "it's kinda like a photographer going to a wedding and ending up married." lol

[@51MontyPython]

...One last thing: I had never even heard of Tom Waits until just a few days ago. He's definitely an interesting individual, I'll say. Okay, I REALLY didn't mean to type this much. It just sort of happens, sorry, lol.

[@markjohnson4217]

I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention...kind of drifted off, what was it you were saying again exactly?

[@51MontyPython]

@@markjohnson4217 Although I realize you're being snarky, I honestly dunno, because when I typed out my comments 7 years ago, there was a character limit, so for a long comment I had to reply to my own comments to be able to post it all, and now looking back, they're all jumbled up to where I can't tell where one starts and another ends. Had you read it back when I first posted it, you would be able to follow from beginning to end. Blame YT.

[@51MontyPython]

He's a textbook case of high functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome. Most creative eccentrics fall somewhere on the spectrum, and there are different degrees of it, with some (probably most) being mild enough to go undiagnosed. People who have this tend to be socially awkward and prefer to be off in their own minds, doing their own thing, unimpressed with and uninterested in the superficial pretense of the "neurotypical" world. They also tend to have higher than average I.Q.s. (cont...

[@51MontyPython]

... 'artsy' types will fall within the spectrum. One typical trait which is most often associated with this group of people is an unusual tendency toward or expectation for honesty, even when it goes against the usual social norms/expectations. They are your loners, who tend to care more about what they think of themselves than what anyone else does, and it often shows in their personality and demeanor. His rocking back and forth is what's called 'stimming', a nervous trait/tick (cont...

[@sp2435]

Why is he “rocking” back and forth?

[@51MontyPython]

Yeah, you bet, though, he was no doubt imbibed with the drink, as he was drinking constantly during that period, before he finally quit. The alcohol was surely his way of trying to self medicate himself. A common characteristic of autistic conditions is difficulty in processing external stimuli, *especially when it comes to social cues, which tends to make them more agitated,stressed, or confused by over-stimulation, particularly in social settings with large groups of people that (cont...

[@51MontyPython]

... Mozart, DaVinci, Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Bill Gates, are all thought to have some form or degree of it, just to name a few. Christopher Walken and Dave Mathews are a couple of modern celebs that come to mind. These people tend to be very eccentric and uniquely interesting as well as talented in their area of interest, especially in fields ranging from music and art and poetry to engineering and astrophysics. They are the ones who design your iphones and such. A lot of your (cont...

[@TheSuperstick55]

He reminds me of the Joker (which isn't strange, because Heath Ledger was inspired by an interview in Australia with Tom Waits). But he also reminds me a bit of Nate Diaz for some reason..

[@drakenfist]

yeah I couldn't get into his music either but this guy is sooo funny to listen to on interviews. he could have been a amazing Comedian! (which is pretty hilarious considering he sounds like the Joker: whom is a failed comedian!).

[@KidsWithGuns1992]

Oh I certainly do, I'm someone who has a habit of writing long comments as well. Not all the time but if the subject interests me or if I know an extent on it I can't stop. Thanks for the info again!

[@zateoc]

the way zach condon and hozier speak about finding there place as musicians are very familiar to this. heart warming as they're both self confessed fans. great mind set.

[@51MontyPython]

... so much about just seems silly to you, well...you understand. Many who have it consider it to be both a blessing and a curse, just depending on how you look at it and weigh the pros and cons. Einstein worked at a post office in his younger years, and would complete his day's work within 2 or 3 hours so that he could spend the rest of his time contemplating his areas of interest, which, as you know, eventually led to his remarkable scientific discoveries and development of (cont...

[@Photochroming]

It's a shy young Krist Novoselik interviewing Tom Waits

[@Khmerv3]

Batman: Where is Harvey Dent? Where ish he???? WHERE ISH HE AHHHUGHHUHAGH!

[@51MontyPython]

... this might relate to the information, especially some of those who might not understand just why they are so different.

[@51MontyPython]

... have a lot of noise. What normal people just process automatically, taking for granted all of the countless neurons involved in the simplest of brain processes, require much more mental effort with 'aspies'/ autistics, leading to mental fatigue or what's know as a "meltdown". the alcohol was definitely his way of trying to take the edge off and help with the symptoms. Of course, whereas alcohol has a downer effect in the short run, prolonged repeated use leads to neural damage (cont...

[@muziktrkr]

Has Tom ever talked about why he rocked back and forth so much back then? I know he was boozing it up, but it seemed like he intentionally did it to throw the interviewers off.

[@morbidghoul9654]

Some good Cocaine will make you rock like a chair .

[@mancunianhardcore]

Because it's the facts, Ledger said it himself

[@MrGandharva108]

This is Maya.

[@gnibeuynet]

Honestly, the passed month or so I've been going back and forth between listening to Tom Waits and Alan Watts lectures. Your comment popped out to me.

[@fransantelli]

+Brijesha Uma-Nahuel Coombs now that is an awesome combination. ^_^

[@Evanjpalmer]

I love Tom Waits, but listen to 2:04 until about 2:10. His voice slips back to how I imagine he would talk "normally".

[@dk4002]

+Evan Palmer he said in another video he only talks that way on the weekends

[@JOceans11]

"Where's Harvey Dent?"

[@monotronics8521]

looks like he s had about 10 crack-pipes

[@21TroubleBraids]

Just stating his wit and his thoughts... thats all... :)

[@51MontyPython]

...common to people with autism. I think it helps them to be more calm and focused. Dang, I didn't mean for that comment to be so long. Oh well. I typed it so I'm posting it

[@KidsWithGuns1992]

But also - how do you know all this? Do you happen to work in an environment where you would need to know these things? (Hospital/doctor or whathaveyou) Or are you just informed? Very interesting.

[@JoeCiliberto]

Wild Turkey, Heineken, and Old Golds.

[@pjbrubak]

Substance-induced Parkinson's?

[@TheHappydead]

a little fight in ya... I like that.

[@gregcaviness9844]

Jokers voice

[@51MontyPython]

... very strange ticks, habits, or tendencies. Edgar Allen Poe is a good example of one these 'oddballs'. There are many, MANY more examples of people who are either known to or most assuredly fall/fell under this category. I swear, these comments always end up being 10 times longer than what I was expecting when I start out. Oh, well. Hope you or anyone else appreciates the information.

[@kreed1004]

what's he on?

[@focusedfreebird]

tried to like his music but could never get through one song or album! made me nervous! lol!

[@MaghoxFr]

Blue Bird try again

[@ncav81]

Despite all the other responses/explanations(?), this is pretty simple: Tom Waits is a) shit-faced, and b) fuckin' twacked. God love the man!

[@nikolasowenby6742]

What is he on? He isn't, he looks extremely dope sick in this interview. The intense rocking/agitation--intense levels of epinephrine your body is pumping out to compensate for the narcotics, leaves you very VERY restless and uncomfortable (as shown). Not to mention how he is hot boxing that cig like his life depends on it. Every other time you see Waits at this time, he looks like he is just coming off a hit- before the really intense agitation and pain associated with being dopesick kicks in, you generally don't have the strength to hold your body up. It is no wonder he is always slouching and propping himself on something.

[@lauranatale389]

He was always very shy in his interviews, it's a nervous tick. If you look at his other earlier interviews, he does the exact same thing. He is t on anything, he only smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol.

[@oldschoolm8]

Why the hell does everyone think Heath Ledger based his Joker rle on Tom Waits? They're nothing alike.

[@damonarvid3548]

I guess he stopped asking questions at the moment he should have started

[@Kevtron9000]

haha I love how he takes that shot at the end

[@kristoscan]

hahaha!!!

[@boosh90]

gettin dizzy watchin this :P

[@Bro-u9m]

уделанный?)

[@arheaberlin]

As an alcoholic myself he is withdrawing. He needs to drink be normal again. Not that Tom can be concerned normal by most people.

[@51MontyPython]

... those who act like if you don't share their simple mindedness that you're the one with the problem. You probably didn't read this either and frankly I don't really care.

[@Captainkeys88]

Interviewer has greatest focus ever to not be thrown off my junky's gyrations.

[@oldschoolm8]

*role*

[@ncav81]

Wow. GEAKED as fuck. But still absolutely brilliant...

[@christophersleight19]

At approximately 2:55 he stops for a second. Probably had enough Turkey and German Brew to take a couple of deep breaths. I can identify with this action. 3 fingers of Jack with a Stout. 2 massive rails of P. Flake Quaalude Repeat process until inventory runs out. Then came reality. Ouch!

[@MicahSeymour]

Cocaine is a helluva drug.

[@51MontyPython]

... more meaningful activities, like chasing pussy and watching football and NASCAR. But then again, such baser preoccupations just really aren't all that interesting to me as they are to more common folk. I would say there's more to life than mere primitive pursuits, and those things which seem so much to entertain other people to such a high degree hardly hold my interest, if even at all. All I can say is, I wish I was as easily amused as most others seem to be, and I'm sick of (cont...