CANNED HEAT: Legends of Blues/Rock. Meet Drummer Fito de la Parra

Canned Heat emerged in 1966 and was founded by blues historians and record collectors Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson and Bob “The Bear” Hite. Hite took the name “Canned Heat” from a 1928 recording by Tommy Johnson. They were joined by Henry “The Sunflower” Vestine, another ardent record collector who was a former member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Rounding out the band in 1967 were Larry “The Mole” Taylor on bass, an experienced session musician who had played with Jerry Lee Lewis and The Monkees and Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra on drums who had played in two of the biggest Latin American bands of the day.

The band attained three worldwide hits, “On The Road Again”, “Let’s Work Together” in 1970 and “Going Up The Country” in 1969: all of which became rock anthems.

They secured their niche in the pages of rock ‘n roll history with their performances at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival (along with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Who) and the headlining slot at the original Woodstock Festival in 1969.

The band collaborated with John Mayall and Little Richard and later with blues icon, John Lee Hooker.

In September 1970, the band was shattered by the suicide of Alan Wilson. His death sparked reconstruction within the group and member changes have continued throughout the past five decades. In 1981, vocalist, Bob Hite collapsed and died of a heart attack and in 1997, Henry Vestine died in Paris, France following the final gig of a European tour.

In 2019, original bass player, Larry “The Mole” Taylor passed away with cancer.

Despite these untimely deaths, Canned Heat has somehow survived. They have played more festivals, biker gatherings and charity events than any other band in the world. They and/or their music have been featured on television and in films.

Now, more than fifty years later and with forty albums to their credit, Canned Heat is still going strong. They have been anchored throughout the past fifty-five years by the steady hand of drummer/band leader and historian, Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra.

Fito’s book, “LIVING THE BLUES” tells the complete and outrageous Canned Heat story of “Music, Drugs, Death, Sex and Survival” along with over 100 captivating pictures from their past and is available through the band’s merchandise page.

FIto de la Parra joins us this week to share tales of his incredible journey.

I hope you enjoy the story of Canned Heat.

If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions for future guests please don't hesitate to get in touch with me through my website https:www.abreathoffreshair.com.au