Tom Waits doesn't really exist - he is a myth  

Sorry but I worked in a venue where he was booked to play in Chicago. He went outside for a cigarette and was arrested as a vagrant by the Chicago police. We were looking everywhere for him. But I did meet him and he is as wacky as the Chicago police who would not believe us when we explained he was a star.

Who is that, Ihave never heard of him, is it country, folk or what kind of music is it. Thank gooness he is not real. WE thank you for letting everyone know. Really who is he and what did it sing?

Well slap me arse and call me Judy! I guess you were looking for a response? Yes well here it is... That's very funny what you said.
But I am here to tell you Tom ain't no myth. I saw him back in Toronto in 1980 at the Roxie Theatre for 7 bucks! He was amazing. I sat right on the floor in front as close as I could get, we were eyeball to eyeball Tom and me. I was in among the brown baggin'strippers, bouncers, students and various walks of life. We all seemed to be very comfortable with one another and we were all so happy to be there. Hmmm... maybe you're a myth or maybe a legend in your own mind...but Tom... no boy... he ain't no myth, and for some of us who love and admire his genius he's on his way to being a legend. Namaste - Catherine.

" made of cellotape and old photographs, beer mats and barbed wire"
Now that's a perfect description of the recordings on Bone Machine
Wouldn't be surprised if that was true - there's no way some of these songs were made by a real person ;-)

Seriously he's a real person afaik (not that I've seen him or anything so can't prove it..) and a myth - he's been (self)mythologised in and out of his songs for so long now that in a way he really doesn't actually exist.

He's one of the greatest artists ever and anyone who hasn't heard or seen him in movies, music, plays they are really missing out.