Dan Hicks, frontrunner of the band Hot Licks, died on Saturday, his wife said on Facebook.
The Bay Area musician -- who was the band's singer, songwriter and bandleader -- battled throat and liver cancer for two years before passing away at age 74.
"He was true blue, one of a kind, and did it all his own way always," his wife Clare Wasserman wrote. "To all who loved him, know that he will live forever in the words, songs, and art that he spent his life creating."
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Hicks, a Little Rock, Arkansas native, kicked off his career in the 1960s as a drummer for the rock band The Charlatans. Several years later, he went on to form the Hot Licks, which quickly grew to fame for hits such as "I Scare Myself" and "Canned Music."
In 1973, Hicks landed on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine just as the band was breaking up after the release of the its last album, "Last Train to Hicksville."
Many fans, including a handful of celebrities, shared their memories of the late musician on Twitter.
Sad for the loss today of the great @DANHICKS . Here's a couple of songs we performed together in 2014 https://t.co/ac1qhS9zv1— Thomas Dolby (@ThomasDolby) February 6, 2016
Sad to hear of the legendary Dan Hicks' passing. Been a fan forever. Amazed by his lyrics, jazziness, cool.
I offer some of his best:— Phil & the Osophers (@PhilandOsophers) February 7, 2016
Sad to hear of the passing of troubadour Dan Hicks, author of the greatest song title ever: How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away? RIP— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) February 7, 2016
Very sad about the passing of my long-time client and friend Dan Hicks. But his wonderful music lives on forever.— Tony Berman (@tonyberman) February 6, 2016
He is survived by his wife and stepdaughter Sara Wasserman.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.