Warren Zevon was an American singer-songwriter known for his darkly humorous and often macabre lyrics. He began his career in the 1970s, releasing his first album, "Wanted Dead or Alive," in 1976. Despite critical acclaim, the album was not a commercial success. Zevon's follow-up album, "Excitable Boy," released in 1978, was a breakthrough hit, featuring the hit singles "Werewolves of London" and "Lawyers, Guns and Money." The album's success established Zevon as a unique and distinctive artist in the rock and roll landscape. His next album "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School" released in 1980, was another success, with songs like "Jeannie Needs a Shooter" and "A Certain Girl" which received considerable airplay. Throughout the 80s, Zevon released several more albums which were generally well-received by critics, but did not achieve the same level of commercial success as his earlier work. Nevertheless, Zevon is considered to be one of the most influential artists of his generation and his early career set the stage for his enduring legacy.