Who is Wild Man Fischer?
Fans of the syndicated radio show host Dr. Demento are probably very familiar with the quasi-musical stylings of Wild Man Fischer. Born Larry Wayne Fischer in Los Angeles in 1945, Wild Man Fischer has become a legendary figure of the underground or “outsider” rock music world. Wild Man Fischer’s most famous song is an autobiographical piece entitled “My Name is Larry”. During the a cappella performance, Wild Man Fischer tunelessly sings a tribute to assorted friends and family, along with a rambling description of his personal life. His performance style is oddly compelling for audience members, as if a homeless person had taken over the stage to vent his frustrations. Wild Man Fischer’s early life was not particularly pleasant. Diagnosed with a number of mental illnesses, he was placed in an institution as a teen following an assault on his mother. Upon his release, Wild Man Fischer became a street performer in Los Angeles, often panhandling money from passers-by in exchange for one o
