CANNED HEAT

Canned Heat rose to fame on the strength of their deep knowledge and love of the blues. The band formed in 1966 by passionate blues historians and record collectors Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson and Bob “The Bear” Hite. Joined by Henry “The Sunflower” Vestine (formerly of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention), bassist Larry “The Mole” Taylor, and drummer Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra, the group created a sound that blended blues tradition with the expanding world of late-60s rock.

Their worldwide hits, “On the Road Again” (1968), “Going Up the Country” (1969), and “Let’s Work Together” (1970) became generational anthems, with “Going Up the Country” embraced globally as the unofficial theme of Woodstock.

Canned Heat secured their place in rock history with iconic performances at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock 1969, and through collaborations with blues legends including John Mayall, Little Richard, and especially John Lee Hooker on the celebrated Hooker ’n Heat album. They were instrumental in rediscovering and reintroducing forgotten blues greats like Sunnyland Slim, Skip James, and Gatemouth Brown to modern audiences.

Despite losing several founding members over the decades, Canned Heat has remained active, influential, and widely respected, appearing on major TV shows, in films such as Woodstock and Forrest Gump, and in major advertising campaigns for brands like Geico, Target, Amazon, and McDonalds.

Today, more than 50 years and 40 albums later, Canned Heat continues to tour the world under the steady leadership of drummer and band historian Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra. The current lineup features Dale Spalding (harmonica, guitar, vocals), Rick Reed (bass), and new lead guitarist/vocalist Jimmy Vivino, known for his 28-year tenure as guitarist and music director for Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

A living piece of American blues-rock history, Canned Heat remains as spirited and powerful as ever.