Musician Tom Waits was born on December 7, 1949, in California, USA. As a teenager, he moved around California, working various jobs, while also playing guitar and piano in clubs around San Diego. In 1972, he was discovered by Herb Cohen, who managed artists such as Alice Cooper, and made his debut with "Closing Time" on Asylum Records. His early work had its roots in 1950s beatniks and early folk sounds, and his lyrics, nicknamed "The Drunken Poet," and his distinctive raspy voice portrayed the underbelly of LA's nightlife. In 1976, he released his fourth album, "Small Change." The album's opening track, "Tom Traubert's Blues," has been covered by artists as diverse as Tico Torres of Bon Jovi, and has become one of his most iconic songs. In the 1980s, he switched labels and developed a bold, experimental sound. He also expanded beyond music into theater and film, captivating film directors with his unique personalities and appearing in numerous films, including Francis Coppola's "The Outsider" and "Dracula." He won Grammy Awards for "Bone Machine" (1992) and "Mule Variations" (1999). His music continues to influence a wide range of generations, with actress Scarlett Johansson releasing her cover album "Anywhere I Lay My Head" as her debut in 2008.