The man after whom this blog is named, Bill Hicks, is the subject of a documentary on BBC4 tonight in the UK, as a prelude and warm up for a screening of his "Revelations" show. The man was my icon through my formative years, my creative idol, my passion, my inspiration, and yet I was always aware that his genius came at a tremendous cost, not simply in his untimely death, but in the problems that he faced in trying to deal with an addictive, self destructive, highly self-critical, personality. As a performer he was at the cutting edge of comedy constantly pushing audiences harder and harder, and challenging their perceptions. Through the tough times his performances were erratic and after he sobered up, his anger was often too much for many people, and certainly for a television audience, but his shows always asked questions that more people should ask.
It is rare that I recommend Bill Hicks to people that I know, because he is very much someone that you need to build up to over time. His style is aggressive and uncompromising, his stance on drink and drugs even after he gave both up was difficult for someone who has never experienced the difference between taking them recreationally, and taking them in an attempt to expand the mind in the frame of Timothy Leary. If you don't like punk, you won't like Hicks. If you don't like having to think to hard, you won't like Hicks. If you don't like questioning politics and freedom and generally held beliefs, you won't like Hicks. But if you are prepared to have everything you have ever believed challenged and broken down and torn apart then just maybe it would be worthwhile having a look and listen. Just maybe......
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