Bill Hicks; A Satirical Great

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' material was often deliberately 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.

- Wikipedia

This guy is true comedy great - he's amongst a few to successfully cover topics in current affairs that many find boring and uncool to have an interest in (areas such as politics, science and religion) and deliver an extremely funny show, thus informing the audience whilst having a giggle at the same time. Hicks was very skilled at doing this; as he gained a rapidly-growing following on the comedy circuit internationally as well as in the US.

It's such a shame that his time here was cut so short; imagine what he'd have to say about the major currents of today - most notably that of the events of 9/11 and subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Below are a couple of video clips of Hicks in action - first deals with Satanism in music, then the next about the first Iraq War; which is from the show Revelations, filmed in London and released in 1993. This can be watched in its entirety and uncut below or alternatively over here.

Bill Hicks R.I.P.

(P.S. - Videoclips contain explicit language)


Satan In Music



First Iraq War



Revelations (full-length show)

bill hicks - revelations