The founder of the Charlatans was George Hunter, who conceived of the band as a visual experience. Rolling Stone magazine described their music as as “a jaunty, ragtime rhythm that was of a piece with their style. Their repertoire remained essentially folk material – blues, ballads, good time jug band tunes plus a few original numbers and the odd Rolling Stones tune.” The Charlatans never enjoyed the popularity or commercial success that their innovative musical and visual approach so richly deserved. Dan Hicks had some success fronting Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks whilst Mike Wilhelm formed his own band Loose Gravel and then became a member of The Flamin’ Groovies.