I spontaneously began singing Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks song “I Feel Like Singing” today and now I don’t feel like singing. Just saw a tweet from Dan Hick’s wife that he died a few hours ago (about when I began singing him home).
December 9, 1941 ~ February 6,, 2016
My darling darling husband left this earth early this morning.
He was true blue, one of a kind, and did it all his own way always.
To all who loved him, know that he will live forever in the words, songs, and art that he spent his life creating. He worked so hard on each and every detail -- they are all pure Dan.
So, Duke, Benny, Django and Stephane -- he's on his way -- you'll be laughing soon!
Much love,
CT Hicks
Mill Valley CA
Feb. 6, 2016
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Here — listen to “I Feel Like Singing” while you read about Dan and his music.
I missed out on his earliest music, but picked up on him sometime in the 70’s and based on my spontaneous outburst today, his music stuck with me (even the lyrics, something I usually never learn). From his website
Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks was truly an American original. Since the early 1960s, Hicks deftly blended elements of Swing, Jazz, Folk and Country music to create the appealing sound he sometimes called "Folk Jazz".
The lyrics of his songs range from the simply sublime to the sublimely ridiculous, all presented with his uniquely skewed and inscrutable touch.
Dan's irresistible sense of rhythm, hip lyrical styling, laid-back vocalizing, and infamous on-stage wit made most who listened fans for life. He was a snappy dresser, too! [...]
In High School, Dan developed an interest in broadcasting, and had a rotating spot on a daily 15-minute local radio program called "Time Out for Teens". He entered San Francisco State College in 1959, eventually earning a degree in Broadcasting. He took up the guitar around '59, and became part of the San Francisco folk music scene, playing and singing in local coffeehouses.
From Wikipedia
When Hicks reformed the band, Page and Leopold remained, and vocalists Naomi Ruth Eisenberg and Maryann Price joined, followed later by guitarist John Girton. This group recorded three albums, culminating in 1973's Last Train to Hicksville (on which the group first added a drummer). After existing as a critical success only, this last album gained the group wider acclaim, as evidenced by Hicks' appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone. Thus, it was a great surprise to many when he chose that moment to disband the Hot Licks. Asked why in 1974, he said:
"I didn't want to be a bandleader anymore. It was a load and a load I didn't want. I'm basically a loner... I like singing and stuff, but I didn't necessarily want to be a bandleader. The thing had turned into a collective sort of thing – democracy, vote on this, do that. I conceived the thing. They wouldn't be there if it wasn't for me. My role as leader started diminishing, but it was my fault because I let it happen; I cared less as the thing went on."
As time passed, this particular Hot Licks band became Hicks' "classic" band, in part due to Page's passionate fiddling, combining swing and classical training, as well as Price's sultry jazz vocals in the style of Anita O'Day, reflecting her pre-Hicks performing experience.