Eccentric rocker Tom Waits is set to embark on a rare US tour, performing a string of shows in some cities where he hasn't performed for almost three decades.
The reclusive singer's most recent live date in London in 2004 sold out in 30 minutes, with more than 150,000 ticket requests received within the first hour.
The upcoming eight August dates, which begin in Atlanta, Georgia, are sure to be among the hottest tickets of the summer because the two-time Grammy winner rarely performs live and hasn't officially toured since 1999.
Quirky Waits insists there's an ulterior reason for the dates:
"We need to go to Tennessee to pick up some fireworks, and someone owes me money in Kentucky," he quipped.
The tour includes stop-offs in Nashville, Tennessee; Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois.