Jack Black Predicts Tom Waits’ Enduring Legacy: “He’s Gonna Be Here in a Hundred Years”
Actor and musician Jack Black believes the work of singer-songwriter Tom Waits will remain culturally notable for generations to come. In a 2012 interview with the Los Angeles Times, black specifically cited Waits’ 2011 album Bad as Me, stating, “Those first three tracks are worth the price of admission. He’s so real; he’s gonna be here in a hundred years. Don’t you feel it? Objectively speaking, can’t you look at some people and go, ‘Hundred years – still gonna be here’?”
Black, known for his work with Tenacious D, highlighted Waits’ authenticity and ability to capture the complexities of human nature as key elements of his lasting appeal. Waits’ critically acclaimed albums, including 1975’s Nighthawks at the Diner and 1983’s Swordfishtrombones, have cemented his status as a uniquely captivating and influential artist.
Despite their differing musical styles, Black recognizes a shared focus on authenticity that connects his own work to Waits’.He believes Waits’ timeless quality allows his music to resonate across decades, suggesting he could have achieved prominence in any era of the last 150 years.
