Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks, known for his rootsy blend of folk, jazz and country music, has died due to throat and liver cancer at the age of 74. The Bay Area musician and Montgomery High School graduate was best known for his band Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, formed in 1967. The group incorporated elements of jazz, swing, folk, bluegrass, jug band, bebop and acid mariachi among other styles.

Source Danhicks.net

Hicks, who got his start as a drummer with the pioneering rock band The Charlatans, landed on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine once and appeared on comedian’s Flip Wilson’s show in 1972. The Hot Licks released their first album, “Original Recordings” in 1969, followed quickly by “Where’s The Money?” in 1971, “Striking It Rich” in 1972 and “Last Train to Hicksville” in 1973. Hicks disbanded the Hot Licks after the group’s fourth album and released what would be his last studio album for 22 years in 1978.

In 2000, Hicks released “Beatin’ the Heat,” which received good reviews and had an all-star cast of guest spots, including Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler and Brian Setzer.