Mueller Lake Park Outdoor Amphitheater
The Genius That Was Bill Hicks
RECEIVED Tue., March 16, 2004
Dear Editor,
I am 47 years old. I saw Bill Hicks ["Requiem for a Sane Man," Comedy, March 12] perform live twice when I first moved to Austin. I was totally unprepared the first time. From the moment he walked on stage he jerked you by the gut off of whatever fence you straddled and left you convulsing on the floor and thinking. But he left you no time for rest. He was a comedic prizefighter; his wit pounded you with combination after combination. People talk about his fearless political insight, but what I witnessed was far more than that. He was a complete comedian. His timing was flawless, his craft seamless, and he could make anything funny. Both times after leaving his performance I was swept up in an emotional and physical catharsis. Hicks' comedy had thrown the baggage of my thoughts out on stage and smothered them one by one. Both mornings after his performance I woke up with a very sore stomach. And then, he disappeared. I still miss his brilliance greatly. You do too, I promise you. He was the best comedian/philosopher/analyst/performance artist I have ever had the pleasure to experience in my lifetime.
I am 47 years old. I saw Bill Hicks ["Requiem for a Sane Man," Comedy, March 12] perform live twice when I first moved to Austin. I was totally unprepared the first time. From the moment he walked on stage he jerked you by the gut off of whatever fence you straddled and left you convulsing on the floor and thinking. But he left you no time for rest. He was a comedic prizefighter; his wit pounded you with combination after combination. People talk about his fearless political insight, but what I witnessed was far more than that. He was a complete comedian. His timing was flawless, his craft seamless, and he could make anything funny. Both times after leaving his performance I was swept up in an emotional and physical catharsis. Hicks' comedy had thrown the baggage of my thoughts out on stage and smothered them one by one. Both mornings after his performance I woke up with a very sore stomach. And then, he disappeared. I still miss his brilliance greatly. You do too, I promise you. He was the best comedian/philosopher/analyst/performance artist I have ever had the pleasure to experience in my lifetime.
Mark Patton
