Wild Man Fischer, born Larry Wayne Fischer, is an underground rock music legend known for his off-key, stream-of-consciousness style. Diagnosed with mental illnesses as a teenager, he became a street performer in LA before being discovered by Frank Zappa. Fischer’s popularity grew in the 1970s, and he collaborated with Rosemary Clooney and Barnes and Barnes. Rhino Records released his albums, and he appeared on Larry Comes Alive. A documentary called DERAILROADED was released in 2005.
Fans of syndicated radio host Dr. Demento are probably very familiar with Wild Man Fischer’s quasi-musical style. Born Larry Wayne Fischer in Los Angeles in 1945, Wild Man Fischer has become a legendary figure in the world of underground or “outsider” rock music. His most famous song is an autobiographical piece entitled “My Name is Larry”. During the a capella performance, he sings an off-key tribute to assorted friends and family, along with a rambling description of his personal life. His performing style is strangely compelling to the audience, as if a homeless man has taken over the stage to vent his frustrations.
Wild Man Fischer’s early years were not particularly pleasant. Diagnosed with a series of mental illnesses, he was institutionalized as a teenager following an assault on his mother. After releasing him, he became a street performer in Los Angeles, often begging for money from passers-by in exchange for one of his “songs” about him. Rock musician Frank Zappa, no stranger to the moody fringe movement, is said to have discovered Wild Man Fischer during one of his street performances.
With Zappa’s assistance, Fischer recorded his first album, An Evening with Wild Man Fischer, in 1968. This album contained 36 self-styled songs, mostly stream-of-consciousness rants and simplistic versions of 1950s music. Fischer and Frank Zappa had a falling out shortly after the album’s release, and subsequent reissue rights were routinely denied by Zappa’s estate.
Wild Man Fischer’s popularity as an underground artist continued to grow during the early 1970s, even as his personal life remained notoriously volatile. Booking him for an event was often an ordeal in itself, as he often fluctuated between a manic state and extreme depression. Promoters described finding him curled up in a fetal position in his dressing room minutes before the show. His wandering lifestyle and fragile mental state were not an act, although his performances were generally well received.
Through the efforts of radio show host Dr. Demento, Wild Man Fischer’s recording of “My Name is Larry” has become a staple of the novelty recording genre. He also struck up an unexpected friendship with noted jazz singer Rosemary Clooney, which resulted in a collaboration on a song called “It’s a Hard Business.” Fischer’s constant harassment of local record store employees and customers prompted the owners to record and release his second album, Wildmania in 1978. This album was the first to be released by Rhino Records, which eventually fine would go on to become a leader in alternative and mainstream music recordings.
Bolstered by the new exposure provided by Dr. Demento’s radio show, Wild Man Fischer teamed up with another novelty musical act called Barnes and Barnes. Their quirky New Wave influenced song “Fish Heads” became another popular song in the early 1980s. The men behind Barnes and Barnes produced two Fischer albums, Proounce Normal and Nothing Scary. Fischer also appears on a number of recordings, including a live album called Larry Comes Alive. Rhino Records also released a compilation called The Fischer King. In 2005, a documentary entitled DERAILROADED was released.
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