Chomsky, with dick jokes

Like far too many people in this world, I too once was unfamiliar with the body of work put out by the late, great comedian Bill Hicks. I remember the day that changed. My freshman year of college, J.T Smith and I were running to Waterloo Records in his trusty '89 Bronco. In went Bill's "Rant in E Minor".

My ears and brain couldn't process exactly what was happening. I loved everything that the man spewed out. By the time we entered the Dobie parking structure, I hadn't had enough. I needed more: more biting social/political commentary. More of his unbelievable comic timing. More insight into the strange era of the late 80's and early 90's.

I've listened to his album "Philosophy" a good thirty times. Every time I get the opportunity to, I play it for those lucky virgin ears who have yet to hear the greatness that is his work. Most recently that was on my way back from San Diego, after my roommate Hani and I had seen Trey Anastasio. Some old friends from high school were there staying with us and a friend, and he mentioned that he had just started listening to Bill. Knowing that we'd probably hit plenty of traffic on the ride back, I figured that the best way to pass the time was to put on "Philosophy" for Hani. I couldn't believe that Hani hadn't heard his material before and was glad to be able to enjoy it yet again with a first-timer.

It didn't disappoint. Despite knowing every bit back and forth, I thoroughly laughed my ass off.

Bill's career was one that was marked by virtual anonymity and frustrating obscurity among the general population. He lived in that unfortunate era of America that was ruled by Reaganomics and fundamentalists (though it never gave him a shortage of material to work with). He spoke out when others were afraid to. He called out the backwards politics of the religious right with a fearlessness that has been unseen until only recently, when it's been very fashionable to do so. He bashed Bush I, the Gulf War, Bill Clinton, and the rest of the gang of idiots that were fueled by the disturbing apathy of the time.

Bill died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the age of 32. His comedy lives on in the form of several books, albums, and video releases. No one will ever rival his intensity, cleverness, delivery, hilarity, or thought-inducing comedy in my book. The man is a comedic legend, a political force, and a great human being. My life has been enriched by his work, and I hope his success continues to grow.

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