American: The Bill Hicks Story

By: Redbush Entertainment Ltd

Length: 1 hr and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

American is the story of one of the most influential comedians of the modern era. Even though Bill Hicks died over 16 years ago, his reputation has continued to grow. He is still regularly found in top 20 polls of ‘best’ comedians, and is regarded by many as the 'comedians' comedian' - such is his high regard.

This recording is a lasting record of his life, based on hundreds of interviews across America, as told by the people who knew him best. The principal characters in his life had never all spoken at one time before. They include his mother, Mary Hicks; his brother, Steve; his sister, Lynn; and his closest friends: Dwight Slade, Kevin Booth, David Johndrow, and many of the ‘Houston’ gang of friends and comics.

Bill’s comedy sought the bigger truths of life, and he openly challenged the government in the USA, ensuring that he was never able to gain a mainstream television audience in his own country. His take on everything from smoking, drinking, drugs, the military, and music, were unique and absolutely hilarious.

Music for Bill and his close friends was an obsession, and some of that recorded work can be heard as a soundtrack on this audiobook. Some of his best comedy performances can be heard here also: including recordings from way back in tiny clubs in Houston in 1979, to the big international festival Just For Laughs, and his Revelations tour in London.

This recording preserves Bill’s story, bringing together his journey, his friendships, and some of his finest comedy moments - all recounted by the people who knew him best.

©2010 American The Movie Ltd (P)2010 Redbush Entertainment Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Beautifully told." ( Empire)

"Hysterically funny and deeply moving." ( Daily Mirror)

The Best!

Bill Hicks is fantastic, funny....and wise. In my opinion he's in the top five best comics ever. Carlin, Pryor, Williams, Lenny & Hicks. Thank the one Love consciousness that I was on the planet during the same 32 years that Bill was.

Super short

Great story but not worth the price for how short it is. Will now look on YouTube for more Bill Hicks footage.

Do not pay money for this

Primary Issue: This is the audio-only version of a good documentary. However, this exact audio is available on Spotify, and the documentary is available on youtube. Do not spend your hard-earned cash on this when its available for free elsewhere.

Bill Hicks' comedy is sublime and cutting and beautiful - I recommend watching the documentary. Much detail is lost in this version.

Not worth it.

Bill

and I thought to myself , my god ive Found My God Through Bill Hicks

Very entertaining, recommend

This is a really entertaining listen and a great introduction for the non-initiated. Highly recommend this.

Made me want to go back in time...

More like a good radio documentary than a book, loved it even if it made me sad.

Let him speak !!

Love Bill Hicks, but like the cover picture he is gagged in this audiobook. Its a story of his life recounted by close friends, relatives and colleagues, interjected with snippets of him performing stand-up. Problem is, that the format just does't work for me. You are listening to a witness account, then suddenly you are whisked off to hear one of his anecdotes, which has nothing to do with the story from the witness. Then, you get into the joke being told by Bill, hear the laugh from the audience and are taken back to another witness account about something else. You end up not knowing where you are. Do one or the other, i.e., tell the uninterrupted story, then let him speak, or better still just put the whole show on. Bill Hicks isn't one liners, but tells a story, and little snippets like this just does not work.

Its about Bill Hicks. What else do you need to kno

Im a massive Bill Hicks fan so this was a very easy sell. If you don't who he is - you should, and if you do, this s probably the most real/human stuff about him you will ever hear. Its just such a tragedy that he died at 32, which is co-incidentally the same age Jesus was at the crrucifixtion (I think). Its just a ride ;)

Entertainment

I loved every second finding more out about bills life from friends and loved ones in a very interesting documentary style, along side some amazing music and bills stand up.

Pure genius but gone too soon

The story of Bill Hicks is funny, though with some sad moments. My favorite comedian

why to the greatest die young?.

bill hicks was right.
we're running out of time now.
it's time to evolve or die.
the slave masters are soon to be recognised.
equality is key
knowledge is key
truth is key
unity through uniqueness
everything is nothing
nothing is infinity
nothing ends
nothing begins
it always has been and will be
nothing is everything
reality is perspective
perspective is unique
imagination is limited only by morality
choice is key
freedom is necessity
irony and coincidence are only through chaos
small rocks have as long a ripples as large rocks
kindness through care

Fantastic

What a brill tale about a truly enlightened and entertaining man. Anyone who likes comedy, activism and/or tales of amazing people will greatly enjoy this audiobook