Bill Hicks

[MediumTex]

Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a lot of Bill Hicks-related chatter in the world lately?

I seem to be seeing Bill Hicks quotes and references everywhere.

I saw Tool when they came through Dallas last month (awesome show--check out "AEnema" here) and they are big Bill Hicks fans so that is always a reminder for me.

It looks like there are least a few Bill Hicks fans here.

I won't bother posting any, but there are tons of great YouTube clips.

For those not familiar with the story, Bill Hicks was a very funny comedian whose cerebral act covered assorted serious topics.  He died of cancer in 1994 at age 33.

Here is the artwork featuring Bill Hicks from the inside of Tool's AEnema.

[Gosso]

I only discovered Bill Hicks over the past two or three months, so I'm still digesting a lot of what he had to say.  It's as if he had every ounce of societal programming torn from his mind and he was free to simply observe the world as it is.  He is able to deliver a lot of wisdom in a hilarious and shocking way that really hits home...at least it does for me.

In a weird way it is fitting that he died at a young age, because I don't think he could have said much more.  I'm just thankful that his message is now so easily accessed by the internet.  If it weren't for YouTube I may never have discovered Bill...so technology is good for something.

I also like George Carlin, but he can be a little over the top at times.

I think it was Tortoise that linked to a Sam Kinison clip, who's message isn't as powerful, but shit is he funny!

RIP Gentlemen -- you have helped me see the world in a better light.

[Storm]

I first learned of him about 10 years ago in this hilarious movie called Human Traffic:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06VWh2ArZqk

By the way, if you'd like to watch a great movie about the techno/rave scene in the 90s in the UK, Human Traffic is also an excellent movie... :-)

[escafandro]

The philosopher, the poet.
It`s really touching to see his clips, he spoke with his audience while talking to himself. And you can feel his anger, his pain, and especially his frustration, while you laugh out loud.
It is a great pity that he died so young, but at least it was not because of cigarettes. 

[Gosso]

The philosopher, the poet.
It`s really touching to see his clips, he spoke with his audience while talking to himself. And you can feel his anger, his pain, and especially his frustration, while you laugh out loud.
It is a great pity that he died so young, but at least it was not because of cigarettes.  ;)

I think he felt like he carried a huge burden on his shoulders, and felt unable to make people see the light.  I wonder how he would have handled getting older.  I have to think it would have started to really eat at him, but i guess we'll never know.

[dualstow]

I only learned about Bill Hicks a year ago. Recently, comedian Artie Lange mentioned him in the 'Nick & Artie Show' podcast, so he ended up in my sig.