Dan Hicks dies at 74

Hicks began his musical journey as a drummer in the ' 60s San Francisco rock band The Charlatans before forming Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks in 1967 with violinist David LaFlamme. The band played everything from psychedelia to western swing and jazz, from Tin Pan Alley to country blues. His most famous songs are I Scare Myself" and "Canned Music."

The original Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks recorded five records for the Columbia, Blue Thumb and Warner labels.

Hicks signed with Surfdog Records in 1999 and re-assembled the Hot Licks, with a new incarnation releasing "Beatin' the Heat" in 2000, featuring collaborations with Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones and Brian Setzer. That release was followed by the live CD "Alive & Lickin'" in 2001.

His latest album, "Live at Davies," was released in 2013.

Hicks is survived by his wife, Clare, who he married in 1997. In a statement posted on his web site, she wrote, "My darling darling husband left this earth early this morning. He was true blue, one of a kind, and did it all his own way always. To all who loved him, know that he will live forever in the words, songs, and art that he spent his life creating. He worked so hard on each and every detail -- they are all pure Dan.

"So, Duke, Benny, Django and Stephane -- he's on his way -- you'll be laughing soon!"