Hot Licks Frontman, Dan Hicks Dies at 74

Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks has died in Mill Valley, California, following a two-year battle with throat and liver cancer.

The 74 year-old musician, known for his eclectic mix of folk, jazz and country, fronted the acoustic band Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks in the late 1960s San Francisco psychedelic scene. His bands never achieved as much commercial success as some of their contemporaries such as the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, but he was highly regarded by fellow musicians.

Hicks achieved the pinnacle of his mainstream success with several successful albums for Blue Thumb Records, including Where’s the Money?, Striking it Rich and Last Train to Hicksville. The Hot Licks disbanded in 1973 and Hicks went on to work in various musical arenas, from movie soundtracks to other acts including the Acoustic Warriors.

Hicks leaves behind a diverse body of work, but will perhaps be most remembered for such songs as “I Scare Myself,” “Canned Music” and “How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?”

He is survived by his wife, who confirmed the news.