RIP Dan Hicks: A True American Treasure
When I was 12 years old, I stayed up late one Friday night and saw a wild band on the Tonight Show. In the middle of the song the singer got on the floor, rolled on his back and started kicking his legs in the air. The whole band was just dead cool, playing totally unique music and at the same time having a radical, dangerous edge. Johnny Carson announced at the end “Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks!”
The next morning I bugged my Mom until she took me to the record store, where I bought “Where’s The Money,” a record that has been one of my all-time favorites ever since. I am so honored to have met Dan in 1999 and to have had the opportunity to work with him and his music ever since. It has also been genuinely heart-warming to see the respect so many others have for Dan’s work, which became very evident throughout the recording of his latest albums.
I truly loved Dan and will miss him. He was in every sense – as a human, musician, singer, writer, comedian, performer – the real deal and a true original.
Rest in peace, Dan.
Love,
Dave K.