American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story Book

On the eighth anniversary of his death, the first ever biography of the cult anti-hero comedian, Bill Hicks. His popularity - buoyant when alive, with sold-out gigs (inc. 2,000+ at London's Dominion), a famously-axed spot on the Dave Letterman show, and top-selling videos and CDs - has mushroomed in Kurt Cobain-like proportions since. Born to Baptist parents in Little Rock, Hicks cited his formative influences as being down to his prized typewriter on which he'd compose his own scripts, a small b/w tv (or 'Lucifer's Dream Box'), a poster of Woody Allen and a fixation with The Tonight Show. The result was a radical philosopher masquerading as a stand-up comic, plumbing the American psyche with challenging (and side-splitting) conclusions. His brand of American self-analysis struck a particular chord in post-Thatcher Britain, with several national tours, and a widely-seen C4 commentary on the Gulf War. The Letterman show shot Hicks to national prominence in America - not only from his regular slots, but his spectacular sacking following an un-aired tirade of pro-life and Pope digs. Hicks's response was typical: 'Why are people so afraid of jokes?'Read More