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About

Tom Waits is an American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor known for his distinctive gravelly voice and his incorporation of diverse genres into his music. Beginning in the folk scene, his style evolved to include elements of rock, jazz, blues, opera, vaudeville, and even industrial music. His lyrics often explore the darker aspects of society, portraying characters from the underworld with vivid imagery. Waits has garnered critical acclaim for his innovative approach to songwriting and performance.

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Career Timeline

1973C$0.05M

Debut Album Release

Released his first album, "Closing Time", establishing a distinct sound.

1983B$0.5M+$0.45M

Swordfishtrombones Experimentation

Released "Swordfishtrombones", marked a shift to experimental sound.

1992B$2M+$1.5M

Bone Machine Grammy

Won a Grammy Award for "Bone Machine", critical acclaim.

2002B$5M+$3M

"Blood Money" Release

Released "Blood Money", continued experimenting with different sounds.

2011B$15M+$10M

"Bad as Me" Acclaim

Released "Bad as Me", received critical acclaim and renewed interest.

2026B$25M+$10M

Influential Artist

Continues to be a creative performer.

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Last updated: February 25, 2026