Canned Heat
Canned Heat started out as a Los Angeles blues band in 1965 and
were one of the first white American blues bands to get across to
a rock audience.
By no means a purist blues band, they featured a gutsy boogie
element as on Rollin' And Tumblin' from their debut
self-titled album in 1967. But they really took off later that
year after appearing at the Monterey Jazz & Blues Festival.
The following year, Wilson's On The Road Again became
the band's first hit single - but then Vestine left to form his
own band (although he later returned to Canned Heat) and his place
was filled by Detroit guitarist Harvey Mandel.
The line-up re-shuffle coincided with the start of Heat's
two-year boom, during which time they had three more big hit
singles - Going Up The Country, Let's Work Together
and Sugar Bee. In 1969 they appeared at the Woodstock
festival.
The group spent much of 1970 touring in Europe before returning
to the US. Late in the summer, guitarist Al Wilson was found dead
in Bob Hite's garden in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles. He had
committed suicide.
Larry Taylor left in 1970 to play with John Mayall, and he was
replaced by Mexican bass player, Antonio De La Barreda. Mandel
also left and for a time was tipped to replace Mick Taylor in The
Rolling Stones - a job which eventually went to Ronnie Wood.
By 1971 Vestine had returned to the fold, only to quit again
four years later. Other noted personnel during this period
included Joel Scott Hill, James Shane and Hite's younger brother,
Richard.
Bob Hite died of a heart attack in April 1981, aged 38. Henry
Vestine died in Paris, France, on October 20th, 1997, following
the final gig of a European tour.
The band continue to tour, particularly in Europe. The only
member with any real longevity, though, is Adolpho De La Parra.
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