The wikipedia site summarizes the life and times of Bill Hicks as follows:

William Melvin “Bill” Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994) was an American stand-up comedian, satirist and musician. His humor challenged mainstream beliefs, aiming to “enlighten people to think for themselves.” Hicks used a ribald approach to express his material, describing himself as “Chomsky with dick jokes”, while conceding that his humor was “caring”.

His material largely consisted of general discussions about society, religion, politics, philosophy and personal issues. Hicks’ material was often controversial and steeped in dark comedy. In both his stand-up performances and during interviews, he often criticized consumerism, superficiality, mediocrity and banality within the media and popular culture, describing them as oppressive tools of the ruling class, meant to “keep people stupid and apathetic.”

Hicks died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the age of 32. In the years after his death, his work and legacy achieved the significant admiration and acclaim of numerous comedians, writers, actors and musicians alike. In 2007 he was voted the 4th greatest stand-up comic on the UK’s Channel 4′s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups and again in the updated 2010 list as the 4th greatest stand-up comic.

But that only scratches the surface. Bill Hicks is in that rare group of comedians who transcend comedy. A truth-teller, a preacher of sorts, a man relentlessly devoted to what he did and what he said.

To really understand Bill’s life, all one really needs to do is listen to and think about his work. He held back practically nothing onstage, and his evolution over his too-brief career is simply meteoric. Hicks clearly stated that he was not just seeking to be another “yuk-yuk” joketeller like Gallagher or Carrot Top, but that he wanted to provoke thought and action via his comedy and his music.

If you wish to get a rapid introduction to the entire span of Hicks’ career, the documentary movie “American:The Bill Hicks Story” and the book “Love All The People” (edited by John Lahr) are highly recommended. Here is the trailer for American:

Hicks’ was, as titled on one of his official albums, “relentless” as a worker. His CD releases include:

* Dangerous (1990)
* Relentless (1992)
* Arizona Bay (1997)
* Rant in E Minor (1997)
* Philosophy: The Best of Bill Hicks (2001)
* Love, Laughter and Truth (2002)
* Flying Saucer Tour Vol. 1 (2002)
* Shock & Awe: Live at Oxford Playhouse (2003)
* Salvation (2005)
* The Essential Collection (2010)

His video releases include:

* Sane Man (VHS: 1989; DVD: 2005) (DVD includes a remastered and completely uncut version)
* One Night Stand (VHS: 1991; DVD: 2002)
* Ninja Bachelor Party (VHS: 1991)
* Relentless (VHS: 1992; DVD: 2006)
* Revelations (VHS: 1993)
* American: The Bill Hicks Story (DVD: 2010)
* Totally Bill Hicks (UK only) (VHS: 1994; DVD: 2002) (comprises the documentary It’s Just a Ride and a live performance, Revelations)
* Bill Hicks Live – Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-Up Comedian (DVD: 2004) (comprises One Night Stand, Relentless, “It’s Just a Ride” and Revelations)

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