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Canned Heat

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Canned Heat is an American blues rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The group arose in the circle of blues collectors around Bob Hite, who had been trading blues records since his youth. At his home in Topanga Canyon he and Alan Wilson, a bottleneck guitarist, first rehearsed as a jug band. The name comes from Tommy Johnson's Canned Heat Blues of 1928, a song about an alcoholic who in desperation began drinking Sterno, known in popular speech as canned heat. The band wanted to increase interest in the blues and in the original blues musicians.

Music and breakthrough

After performances at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals at the end of the 1960s, Canned Heat became world famous. The line-up then consisted of Hite on vocals, Wilson on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Henry Vestine and later Harvey Mandel on lead guitar, Larry Taylor on bass and Adolfo de la Parra on drums. Three songs became international hits: Going Up the Country, On the Road Again and Let's Work Together. Albums such as Boogie With Canned Heat in 1968, Living the Blues in 1968 and Hooker 'n Heat in 1971 show the foundation. In 1970 Wilson died unexpectedly and the line-up often changed after that. De la Parra is one of the few from the 1960s who stayed for a long time.

Influence

The band played blues standards and its own work, sometimes with long psychedelic solos, and became one of the popular acts of the hippie era. Canned Heat introduced a young audience to old blues.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Going Up the Country and notice the thin-sounding flute and the driving boogie rhythm. Hear how an old blues feeling suddenly sounds cheerful and airy here.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists