Life & Mysterious Death at 27. Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson of Canned Heat.

Late 60's/early 70's most overlooked musician, Blind Owl Wilson of Canned Heat. His life and mysterious death at 27 years old just 2 weeks prior to Jimi Hendrix and 1 month before Janis Joplin. Going Up The Country, On The Road Again, Blues. Topanga California, Laurel Canyon Documentary.
Proceeds from this video go to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. If you would like to donate please go to: bbbsla.org/
Special Thanks To:
Rebecca Davis
Elton Ahi and Rusk Sound Studios
Freak Beat Records
All Music By: Tim P.
I reserve the right to be on occasion, full of it.

[@johnhitz1185]

Since he went to see John Fahey that day, I don't believe Alan committed suicide. What did Fahey say about it? Same thing with Jimi Hendrix. That day Eric Clapton had brought a guitar to give to Jimi, but didn't get the chance. Hendrix would possibly be alive today if Eric had been with him that day and given him the guitar.

[@RockessentialTim]

Its interesting and complicated for sure. Since the vid here came out I have talked personally with Canned Heat's manager Skip Taylor who was the person that found Alan's body. He maintains that it was a suicide.

[@bombadeer8231]

Ty RT 🙏

[@RockessentialTim]

One of the real joys of having a YT channel is getting to feature an artist I love who for whatever reason might not have gotten their proper due. IMO Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson is one of those guys. Enjoy!

[@roberthevern6169]

Could I just feature myself, cuz I got a lot to say about most anything I come across.... Or, it could be the nonsensical ramblings of RP McMurphy!!!

[@railroadbill5879]

Thank You for putting Blind Owl story out for the world. Canned Heat was Awesome

[@RockessentialTim]

Loved making this one. Thanks!

[@rodrigodiaz2313]

❤❤❤

[@richardcarellano]

Excellent video on a true artist who rarely gets his due. Thank you.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much. I play a little bluesharp and I've always thought Wilson was criminally underrated!

[@jimce2799]

A never mentioned member of the "27" club.

[@jimz68]

"Hooker and Heat" was one of my first albums. Thanks for the memories........again.

[@RockessentialTim]

Until doing the vid I never realized that Alan Wilson is in a pic hanging on the wall in the cover shot. He must have already passed by the time they got around to taking the album cover photo?

[@brettlowden1788]

Great album.

[@jamesmathews1841]

One of the best blues bands ever, period!! Thank you for this great video

[@RockessentialTim]

Rock on!

[@brianmarcus6005]

That record store that Alan met Bob was Rancho Music my father owned. Worked with him until Canned Heat got signed. Great memories.

[@RockessentialTim]

That is incredible! Where exactly was the store?

[@brianmarcus6005]

@@RockessentialTim Westwood Bl near Pico Bl. Many stories like Beach Boys playing in the parking lot when they were starting out to knowing Benjamin Hill John Lennons driver when in L.A. and meeting John and Yoko and Ringo after they had dinner at Mateos Reasturant up the St.

[@RockessentialTim]

I remember Mateos! Sinatra was a regular there if I'm not mistaken. Do you recall Alan Wilson ever being in the store?

[@brianmarcus6005]

@@RockessentialTim I never saw him in the store but new the band and saw them for the first time play at Topanga Corral. Spent many hours listening to Bob's collection of records. He had record shelfs from floor to ceiling and a ladder to get to them.

[@JamesDeWeaver]

@@brianmarcus6005 That’s tremendous! ✅️

[@stevem5685]

You are just dripping with LA rock history :) Thanks for another great video.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Steve.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Hi Tim great great great ! Been on a bit of a canned heat kick lately and Al Wilson has always facinated me. Thanks for the amazing content ....as usual

[@RockessentialTim]

I obviously have been listening to them a lot lately. Wilson is such an amazing player, every note is just so right on. I have to wonder if he thought out his parts or they just spilled out. I kind of lean towards the former.

[@sadielampduo3762]

Cool documentary Tim . Love those blues harmonica players ." Out in the woods with a sleeping bag is the only place where he finds peace ".... is probably where his hit " Going to the country " came from . Thanks again Rock Essentials Tim 🎸🎸🎸

[@RockessentialTim]

Love the harp players partly because it be my main instrument too. Its one of the reasons I dig yer band!

[@davidjutovsky-rc3ey]

Alan, unfortunately, joined the "27" club in 1970. What an incredible bluesman and talent ! RIP brother!

[@ny2phillyholloway592]

You've never been full of it in any of your videos. Blind owl is such a great blues name. Glad he got to play with John Lee Hooker a true genius!! I love this obscure gem🔥👓🎸💯

[@RockessentialTim]

Blind Owl just fits him so well, its like he was born with it. Funny how that happens some times, right?

[@philiprife5556]

This is a kind, respectful, and informative look back on an interesting person. Thanks for posting it.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks. Loved making this one.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Love Canned Heat and Alan was so talented. Great documentary!

[@cmackscott761]

As a teenager, I worked at Baher Chevrolet as a painter's helper. While I was working, there was a concert going on at Devonshire Downs not too far away. I could hear Canned Heat playing. I remember wanting to be there rather than sanding and priming cars.

[@ranchotexino4929]

You hit a home run with this one Tim! Poor Alan was a tormented soul indeed, you can hear his life story with every haunted note he played and sang. I never listen to Alan's songs around other people. It's just me, the night sky, still green water and the blues.

[@RockessentialTim]

Funny that I never thought of that but its true. He was so weirdly personal with his playing. It was done without filters or fear.

[@jonprosise7162]

@@RockessentialTim jamming blues maybe was the only time he wasn’t scared and actually felt comfortable

[@mechcavandy986]

I was friends with Richard Hite , when he and his mom lived in Memphis. I’d go over there and Richard would take a mint condition 78 of Robert Johnson, Ishman Bracey, etc. and we’d listen to them. They had thousands of 78 blues records and multi thousand blues albums. He had their Woodstock and Going Up the Country GOLD records on their record room wall. Richard and Bob were serious blues collectors. Richard said he and Bob would travel all over the Deep South in the early 60s and buy these records. Richard is gone now too. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@RockessentialTim]

That is fascinating! I knew Bob collected but I didn't know about Richard, nor did I know that they lived in Memphis for any amount of time. Thanks for this totally rockin' post!

[@brettlowden1788]

It would be cool to see that Robert Johnson 78. I've never seen one and maybe never will.

[@user-ox8ud9ys9m]

In 68 saw Canned Heat and Bubble Puppy at Panther Hall in Ft Worth Tx and i never found my way home

[@edwardallan197]

Best bio on Al I ever saw.... RIP Blind Owl❤

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on. He was the best.

[@Freddie-pe9nz]

I'm from Rochester NY and I love the blues all my life. 60 now and I happened to come across your channel and subscribed cool info thanks you. I did some landscaping for Linda Ronstadt in Tucson Arizona. Had no clue that it was her home or a summer home. All I knew was that we had to be at the job site by 5 am so we could be done for the day by 1 pm because of the heat. She came out to the back patio and offered us ice tea and I was floored when I seen who we were working for. Asked my boss and he said he didn't know either. What happened was we did her neighbors and they set it up. Thank you brother.

[@RockessentialTim]

That is so cool! It is interesting that you commented because I'm working on a segment of a video as we speak about the band Metallica and how they recorded their first album in place in Rochester on East Avenue. Love Linda always

[@Freddie-pe9nz]

@@RockessentialTim I posted to you last night but took it down because I couldn't remember the name of the bar that did that. It was down Lake Ave not East Avenue. I will be in touch with you. It's 6:30 am and I have to take my medicine at 5 am. Hate the stuff keeps me awake.. But listen I'll get you some information. I was down at the end of Lake Ave by Charlotte beach. The song by Foreigner racing down Lake Avenue same strip. I promise to get with you brother.

[@tonymurphy8774]

Great video. Caught Canned Heat at Mothers Birmingham England, a legendary gig for us locals to this day. Alan was awesome, that harmonica sound will stay with me forever. Thanks for posting this.

[@RockessentialTim]

It must have been a great one cuz you are the 2nd person to have mentioned that very show!

[@bishlap]

what a player he was and The band had a great sound. For a "typical" blues based Rock outfit, Canned Heat was damn good.

[@philipbarton2634]

Thank you. Canned Heat was an incredible band and Alan Wilson was, as you say, incomparable. We all truly appreciate your efforts to keep this amazing part of American culture and history alive. FYI my Gen Z daughter and a group of her friends love canned heat and spin their records to this day. Thank god for the vinyl albums they left behind.

[@RockessentialTim]

My Gen Z grand daughter actually has a record player too and her favorite is Ziggy Stardust. Its so cool these records are making a comeback. Much to my everlasting shame if I want to hear Canned Heat I have to ask Siri to play it!

[@Graysail0r]

I've always loved Canned Heat - never got to see them - but have almost every album they did and had them for over 40 years. Greatly underappreciated.

[@mountainmike3312]

Excellent video Professor Tim. So enjoyable to watch a video with so much research that gives us so much insight. Waiting for your next one. Thanks

[@RockessentialTim]

Working on something a little different. Fingers crossed.

[@mountainmike3312]

@@RockessentialTim Can’t wait until then. Thanks again.

[@msaintpc]

Saw him often when I was hanging out in Laurel Canyon and I loved that band.

[@RockessentialTim]

Would have loved to seen him play live.

[@abstractadvantures6961]

He is a text book case of a high functioning autistic aka Aspergers musical genius. I have lived my life with all of the same bells and whistles, minus perfect pitch, and had a wonderful musical career. Luckily I was diagnosed and found an Aspie therapist that made sense of it all for me. I toured and played some wonderful gigs, was mentored by Willie P Bennett. One of my songs Angels In The Backseat came 1st in the top 100, sang the national anthems at the world series, played lots of festivals and refused when asked to sign with Sam Feldman because success scared the shit out of me, I later found out Ron Sexsmith took my place. 6 cds later I am a semi successful abstract landscape painter that still plays the occasional gig. and have 3 cds on spotify. I no longer drink or do drugs, and my life is better than ever. Its sad to have lost such a musical giant like Alan Wilson. Its hard to survive as an Aspie in this world. I wish He had survived, I can only imagine what great music we would be covering today. Robert Atyeo.....

[@RockessentialTim]

There have been several comments about this since I published the video but yours is what I think is the final say. I suspected when researching for the vid that Alan Wilson was in the spectrum. As a grandparent of an autistic teen it gives me great satisfaction to read your comments. It has been a tough road for my daughter and her son but a very gratifying journey nonetheless. Its unfortunate that in Alan's time there wasn't a better understanding of what was going on with him, you have to wonder if success was something that scared the shit out of him too! Anyways, continued success to you in all your artistic endeavors!

[@rodrigodiaz2313]

❤❤❤❤

[@MrPhotodoc]

Thanks for dropping this one of Canned Heat. One of my favorites and right up there with The Turtles and The Doors but decidedly much heavier in the Blues.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on. I LOVED making this vid. Blind Owl is my fave bluesharp player EVER!

[@brettlowden1788]

It was neat that you let us see the place where he passed away. Always wondered what it looked like. Sad. Great musician who played from the heart.

[@user-ke8if6ri9r]

He grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts. It's just on the Western edge of Boston. I went there with my grandfather to visit his brother,my Uncle Andy.

[@RockessentialTim]

I plan on visiting it next time I'm in Boston!

[@user-ke8if6ri9r]

@@RockessentialTim I don't know of anything saying Blond Owl was a "Favorite Son". Growing up outside of Boston was a great experience. Lots of great local music. Bands that hit the big leagues like Aerosmith, J.Geils, Boston, The Cars,etc...The best rock radio station was WBCN. They would play local bands and tell you where they were playing. Lots to enjoy in the Bosstown with the Boss sound!.

[@BlindArthurBlake]

Great stuff. I've been friends with Alan's younger sister Jayne for 30 years now

[@RockessentialTim]

I hope she is well. Someone else posted here about his sister Sharon who is doing good. Love hearing it!

[@edwarddibruno7122]

I discovered Fred Neil ( Everybody’s Talkin ) by looking at liner notes on the back of album covers in the 70’s. When I read Alan Wilson, harmonica, on the list of musicians for that record I of course bought it, being a huge Alan Wilson fan. Alan was the gateway to opening up the Fred Neil world for me. When Alan passed, the paragraph in the Philadelphia newspaper said he died up in a Redwood forest in Oregon. I’m glad this guy attempted to rectify this. RIP BLIND OWL

[@RockessentialTim]

I am going to have to hunt that down on KZbin. I didn't know Alan had did other sessions but it totally makes sense, right? They actually paid you for them!

[@grahamsnowden9547]

The thrill of listening to Alan Wilson and Canned Heat as a teenager growing up in New Zealand in the 1970s has never left me. Unfortunately being a supremely gifted musician and artist doesn't always guarantee the happiest of lives but it surely adds to the happiness of others lives. Thank you for the great video.

[@RockessentialTim]

Well put.

[@sygrovesteve5819]

For me too Graham, in NZ

[@markventura4253]

What a cool story, loved hearing the true story of Canned Heat!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure.

[@bradfordeaton6558]

I listen to "On the Road Again", pretty much, every night before I go to bed. I think the Harp breaks are some of the finest Blues ever made. What a great band, on so many levels.

[@RockessentialTim]

I agree with you. He was a pretty special musician.

[@zippedooda]

Thanks for this great video. Canned Heat made a big impression on me as a youngster, and I'll never forget the moan of Alan's harp. Definitely an unsung blues hero and you did him justice!

[@RockessentialTim]

It was a pretty easy job cuz he's obviously my fave blues harpist. Thanks!

[@avpro51]

In the mid-80s I went to a blues show at the local Sons of Italy Hall in Arlington, MA where a friend and fellow harp player introduced me to Al’s father. We spoke glowingly of our admiration for Al’s unique style and how it had inspired us. Thanks for this remembrance.

[@RockessentialTim]

That is really cool. I'm sure he knew later but I wonder if his father was aware of Al's special talent on the harp when he was still at home?

[@Luvoldmovies-Kat.St.Aug.]

P.S. Gonna have to listen to some Canned Heat !! 🎼🎸🎤🎹

[@candydale8380]

Totally!!!🎶🎵🎸🎧🎤

[@davidjackson2690]

Me too.

[@garycoates4987]

Alan Wilson is the reason I play a Les Paul,, a reissue of the 54 the same model he played

[@RockessentialTim]

I heard that one of the reason's it sounded like it did is the pickups were miswired out of phase. I know that was the sitch with Peter Green's Paul, "Greenie" which I believe is now owned by Kirk Hammett of Metallica. Whatever, I agree with you, it was an awsome sounding (and looking) guitar!

[@garycoates4987]

@@RockessentialTim truth I think it's like you were talking about with the harmonica, an extension of his singing and speaking voice , a really personal sound

[@leewaken5059]

Loved this episode, thanks for covering.👍🏼I have always been "intrigued" with the personality of Alan Wilson. He definitely was a very unusual character, blessed with talent and skills. It is my personal opinion, that his death was accidental. He was a great musician non-the-less.

[@RockessentialTim]

I agree and like many of the folks leaving comments here and I have to wonder if Alan Wilson was in the autistic spectrum, which makes his talent and skill all the more impressive.

[@darrellkinkade9205]

THE best doc on "The Blind Owl" EVER!

[@RockessentialTim]

Love it.

[@tombassman]

I was once DJing at a hip coffee shop in China, it was a busy Saturday night and I played ‘On The Road Again’. I looked up and everyone had stopped talking and were nodding their heads and looking towards me. They’d never heard this song before but it hooked them in even before the vocals started.

[@RockessentialTim]

Cool and very telling story!

[@formansbasement2311]

Thanks for this video. I’ve read the canned heat book and also “blind owl blues”. This is one of, if not the best videos on Alan Wilson I’ve ever seen. The information is accurate, the narration is great, and I love the on scene filming. I obsessively study Alan’s harp playing. Nobody since that time has had that same feel. There’s been plenty of great harmonica players since then, but Alan is one of the only ones that matters to me!

[@RockessentialTim]

I left you a message on your channel and subbed. Coincidentally, early this morning I had been checking out stuff about custom tuning's and I came across your site. Wilson is obviously my fave harp player of all time and its great to see so many others who agree.

[@nickb5391]

Alan was a under estimated fantastic musician & he often gets forgotten, thanks for the video

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much!

[@stevenowell]

That story had to be told. Loved the band and Alan's contributions

[@magprob]

Since I was a kid, Canned Heat always got my attention because they were so unique. Thanks for this really good video.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@wildcolonialman]

Thank you thank you. This man's presence and music ability is a very powerful influence in this man's musical day. Startling, is 3 remarkable shape shifters, gone within days of each other-speaks of another time dimension in appearance. Woodstock and Alan's guitar is stunning to this day. Very very interesting.

[@RockessentialTim]

Whoever said bad things come in three's knew just what the hell they were talking about.

[@adriancork]

I know Canned Heat’s music but didn’t know much at all about the music, so the video was really instructive to me. Blind Owl Wilson should certainly be mentioned alongside Janis, Jimi, Brian and Jim. Thanks Tim.

[@RockessentialTim]

I'm a harmonica geek so I especially loved making this vid. He is def on the short list of the best ever bluesharp players.

[@patrickburch3723]

Canned Heat's Boogie at Woodstock looking like straight outta Goodwill changed the dynamics of celebrity in rock music to embrace creativity rather than pomposity...or something like that.

[@RockessentialTim]

Truth.

[@amosmoscrip2799]

In the summer of 1967, Canned Heat was in residence at, I believe, Club 47 in Harvard Square. They used the club's space for afternoon rehearsals for about 3 months. The rehearsals were open to the public for free. I'd go twice a week. There might be 20 minutes between songs as they went over how they would play them. Alan Wilson would sit on the edge of the stage during these, obviously stoned on downers, and never participated. The music was electric. There was a great recording of the sessions released on some small label that you could find in the bargain bins a few years later. They played straight blues, with the exception of working out what became Going to the Country. Great times.

[@sweetjimmyt]

Poor Moon is one of the greatest songs ever. Great video, Tim. "Well, you sure look good, In the sky at night. And it's sad to say, You won't shine so bright. Some day.."

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, mate!

[@tjpowell9779]

Great content as always. Ever consider doing a history of the legendary venues and impresarios?

[@RockessentialTim]

I did a couple vids on LA music clubs awhile back. Would like to do one on San Francisco if I ever get up there again.

[@jimbojones3874]

Great video. Loved Canned Heat growing up, just started listening to them again recently. Blind Owl Wilson's voice and playing were amazing. And to rebuild a harmonica in a custom tuning? Genius.

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

I too was pretty oblivious to Canned Heat past "Going Up The Country", tho I did have the single when it came out and always loved it (was only 4 but already into records)...just a few years ago I decided to look further into not only the Heat but also their blues influences, partially due to my long friendship with Barry Hansen aka radio legend Dr Demento, who was there before the formation of the group (was even roommates with Wilson) and partially responsible for getting them together (via Fahey)...To say I've been blown away by what I found would be an understatement; was never too interested in the blues and was somewhat unaware of the older country blues that influenced the Heat, this was a total revelation. Learned a ton in the last couple years from listening to the other blues forms, which brings up how important Wilson was in bringing back that area of the art form. There are a few interviews and a recording of a harmonica lesson here on YT, utterly fascinating stuff. How I wish he hadn't passed so we could hear more of his exploration of music, what he might have come up with in the ensuing years...not to mention picking his brain on the music etc. Fine job on the video, thanks for helping keep it going! (and of course, don't forget to Boogie.)

[@RockessentialTim]

A lot of deep history as you mention. I read about Dr. Demento when researching and as most folks that lived in LA in the 70's and 80's, I listened to him on KMET I believe it was? Anyway, have played harmonica since my teen years so I was aware of Alan Wilson but most of my non harp-nut musician friends didn't know who the hell he was. Great post, thanks!

[@Luvoldmovies-Kat.St.Aug.]

Enjoyed Tim !Thank you .👍🤩🎸🎼🎤. 👋🐊

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Kat!

[@wandaclark5020]

Great story may he rest in peace❤

[@bradparker9664]

Great video as always. I watched the Woodstock Director's Cut a few months ago after not having seen it for many years. I'd never paid much attention to Canned Heat until this latest viewing. I became quite interested in the band and Al Wilson in particular. I've done sone reading and watched a few inferior videos, but you filled in some blanks for this novice and it is greatly appreciated. I always look forward to your videos and keep up the great work!

[@RockessentialTim]

I agree, Wilson was like nobody else in music. A few other folks have pointed it out in the comment section here, but I share with them the belief that Alan was in the autism spectrum. Perhaps that's why he had an insight into playing the blues that was so extraordinary. Its high time I rewatch Woodstock. Haven't seen it in decades!

[@bradparker9664]

@@RockessentialTim I don't know if it was in the original version, but the Woodstock DVD that I have has a section on Canned Heat's set wherein a guy got on stage and went for Bob. Bob, being a rather imposing figure, told security to disregard, gave the guy a cigarette and a light, and let the guy stand there and dance as the band had never stopped when this dude emerged on stage. A very cool moment.

[@RockessentialTim]

@@bradparker9664 OMG I have never seen it!

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Iconic band , iconic musician. Alan was the sound of Canned Heat. Totally agree he's underated. Thx for this awesome post! 👍

[@thecoolestdad]

As always my friend I appreciate seeing another vid from you sir.

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks my man. Always good to hear from you.

[@hankbannister]

I remember like yesterday, how On the Road Again freaked me out, when I heard it the first time in 1968. Especially Blind Owls voice. I had very few pocket money then, but I had to go immediate to the record shop and buy the single. Great souvenirs.

[@kevinhensley4643]

Thank you for sharing. It's very well done as always. Look forward to many more.

[@Mrharmonica7]

Thank you. That was great reportage and a respectful telling of his story. R.I.P. Alan Wilson. They're still talking about you.

[@RockessentialTim]

I play harp too and this was a special episode to me. Thanks for the comment!

[@aisle_of_view]

McCartney tried to emulate his voice on Get Back. Macca really liked "Going Up the Country"

[@RockessentialTim]

Skip James McCartney? :) Seriously though, I did not know that. Very cool!

[@marktaft6467]

hi Tim 👋 thanks so much for this Alan Wilson segment , much appreciated , Cheers Tim ✌️🎸✌️

[@RockessentialTim]

Loved making it. Thanks!

[@19del69]

TIM - LOVE THESE HISTORIC ROCKUMENTARIES

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on.

[@deadlyoneable]

Cool subject. This guy is def looked over in the 27 club. I admit I didn’t know much about the guy so thank you for this video. People will say he wasn’t really that memorable but he did and created something 99.9% us normies never will. His name will still come up every now and then 100 years from now. I doubt mine and most other peoples will.

[@jokermaan1]

Theirs was one of the best performances at Woodstock, with some great guitar work from Alan Wilson.

[@RockessentialTim]

Agreed!

[@silvertrain57]

Seven years old in '63, we're building treehouses and using Sterno canned heat for them cold nights. Couple years later we heard this band come out and it was love at first song. I still crank "On The Road" in my car!! 👌Excellent video

[@billj9838]

My neighbor in Sunland, California for a couple years was Harvey Mandel of Canned Heat. He had this highly trained guard dog. I remember his wife was high anxiety being left alone while he was on the road. She made a lot of friends in the neighborhood to help her cope.

[@RockessentialTim]

Wow, didn't know that!

[@billj9838]

@@RockessentialTim I couldn’t find anything about Harvey Mandel and his ex-wife and children. Wikipedia, which usually has a complete bio. Had zero about any exwives or children. When he lived in Sunland, I went over to the house frequently just to hang out. He was hardly there. I think I saw him three times. But he had a young son and a wife. In the late 70s I heard they divorced. I was only about 12 years old when he moved in with his wife and kid. I remember the wife being really friendly and loved to have playmates for her kid because she trusted hardly anyone. That highly trained long-haired German Shepherd he had. Would always watch me when I came over to the house and played with their son. I was told not to raise my hand and point my finger at the dog like it was a gun. Being stupid kid I did, the dog immediately went from a cool disposition into attack mode and started to growl and show its teeth. I put my hand down immediately. The dog relax again. The dogs name was Crystal.

[@keefmeister77]

Blind Owl Wilson is my favorite harmonica player ever. "Burning Hell" really is hellacious.

[@markzelepugas6046]

Mine too,nobody played like Alan. His tone and phrasing are unparalleled. Before I knew anything about people retuning harps, it used to drive me crazy trying to figure out how Alan got certain notes…

[@keefmeister77]

​@@markzelepugas6046yes, I almost had an aneurysm trying to learn "On the Road Again."

[@RockessentialTim]

Ha!

[@calm713]

He probably drank alcohol that day and experienced what they call the "synergistic effect" where "both alcohol and barbiturates activate GABA receptors in the brain, they amplify each other's effects when they are combined. Someone who mixes alcohol and barbiturates is likely to feel extremely intoxicated or drowsy." So it's highly unlikely he killed himself, particularly in light of the other 4 found in his pocket, but likely died by accident from the synergistic effect of the barbiturates and the alcohol. NEVER mix those two, ever.

[@timothydietrich5119]

Thank you for your insight on the life n passing of Alan (Blind Owl) Wilson.🎸🎙️🇺🇲👍

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@roberthevern6169]

Me and my...uh...stoner friends went to the horse race track in Boise, Id in 1971(?) to see 'Canned Heat'! They were so good we never stopped groovin'! 69 now in 2024, and saying Thanks to you for bringing this memory back! Never did Sterno, but tried most everything else from ludes or sugar cube with(made a few with droppers and vials of who knows what!?)supposedly acid! Thanks again, Tim, for helping my addled brian< to recall this fine era! I'll be 'Going up the Country' for a dirtnap before too long! Great post!! PS you may be correct about the autism thing...in fact, historically were we able to know, that issue, or affectation(as I like to call it!) may have been present in great frequency! Thanks, Tim

[@RockessentialTim]

Your power of suggestion is strong. The nap part I mean :)

[@christopher9152]

Thanks for this one. Blind Owl was so, so good. Vocals, guitar, harp...

[@RockessentialTim]

No one else even remotely like him, right?

[@alkholos]

Alan Wilson was a great blues genius. His blues harp playing is among the best. I loved his rollicking style of rhythm guitar, which can be heard on Refried Boogie from the "Living the Blues" album, long out of print but later available on CD. It can be found in its entirety here on KZbin. My favorite tune of Alan's is called "My Mistake."

[@theyrekrnations8990]

I was listening to the song On The Road Again repeatedly a couple summers ago and was really being blown away by how exceptional that particular song is.

[@RockessentialTim]

I agree. I play a little blues harmonica and his playing on that song is hypnotic. I end up having to listen to the song again cuz I always get lost keying in on the bluesharp the first time.

[@theyrekrnations8990]

@@RockessentialTim Cool. Aside from Wilson's blues harp playing which is possibly the best Ive ever heard, is the intro on that song, particularly the little guitar thing where the slide guitar plays the chord just slightly flat and then slides ever so slightly sharp. Cool song! Thanks for the vid!

[@Thomasgene]

RIP MR. ALAN WILSON! One of the greats!

[@syfman6]

Your video came up in my feed. I'm thankful it did! Loved everything about it! Excellent video. Best! 💚🎸

[@RockessentialTim]

Love it, thanks!

[@jeffnwv3976]

Great story luv to watch canned heat’s woodstock videos!

[@captainsalty9022]

The Summer of 1967, Imsaw Canned Heat in a small club in Ventura, California. There were maybe 60 people in the room. Very memorable.

[@RockessentialTim]

Bucket list show.

[@candydale8380]

Thanks so much, Tim!!!

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure!

[@englishorchard-haze4708]

Love his harmonica playing on the John Fahey song, Fear and Loathing.

[@briandufoe3719]

Love hearing about these personalities from bands of that era.

[@RockessentialTim]

Blind Owl was certainly one of a kind.

[@roberttuss5349]

I got hooked on Canned Heat in '68 when I was 16. In 1968. I was proud that the "Blind Owl" was, like me, from Boston, Massachusetts!

[@toddpillow3074]

Canned Heat escaped my attention until Wilson was already gone. I never experienced any real-time sense of loss but have very often wished for more of him. Blues kinda replaced hard rock for me 25 years ago and so, naturally, Canned Heat is one of the best IMO. Joplin’s passing was the one that really hurt me at the time…. I have zero talent so people like this totally amaze me and I live vicariously through them.

[@RockessentialTim]

My experience with them is similar. I never really listened to the band closely until I really got into blues music in the late 80's. I am a harmonica guy and Blind Owl Wilson is my favorite.

[@sidneysnottley6414]

Thanks for that - explained a lot.👍

[@ninamc6116]

I love Canned Heat. when you think of 68-69 you hear their music in your head

[@hammer44head]

Al suffered from depression and though he was a phenom at blues guitar it wasnt enough to keep him from sinking into a deep depression and this time ending his own life. So young , epic tragedy. Wish the medications we have now were available then, maybe al would still be with us. Now we just have the music to reminisce to or just enjoy.

[@brassteeth3355]

Great content. I never knew about the drink. I once was driving up to a dead show and bought a canned heat cassette out of a truck stop. We smoked out to that tape all the way up. Epic trip, epic album.

[@RockessentialTim]

Its funny how great things sometimes come out of----truck stops? Great story!

[@bradforward850]

I have been watching you for years and just now realized I wasn't subscribed yet. These have really progressed into something special. Keep it up! Really enjoying them.

[@RockessentialTim]

PS: I have to tell you that I just love hearing from someone like yourself. I've been making these vids for 5 years and its very gratifying when someone notices the progress. Thanks.

[@casablanca2745]

Another great vid Tim. Session player Jim Horn is also still with us. He contributed the timeless flute intro to Going up to the Country that leads off the Woodstock Doc. Thanks!

[@RockessentialTim]

Great!

[@1goodthing]

Fantastic video. As a 13 year old I bought their albums Saw them live in London in about 1975. A legendary band. God bless Al Wilson

[@RockessentialTim]

They were a great live band, (or so I'm told) I never got to see them.

[@renodavid]

Thank you for remembering the great Al Wilson!I learned a lot from this. I’ve always loved the spiritual aspect of his songs. On The Road Again was pure genius, of course. The guy was definitely tuned into something special. What a loss.🙏

[@RockessentialTim]

What a loss indeed!

[@davidparry5116]

thank you so much Tim for doing this documentary and sharing this on here. A neglected bluesman but perhaps not so much now.

[@RockessentialTim]

It was my pleasure. Alan Wilson was one of my all time faves!

[@jongibson2205]

Another highly informative treatment, Tim. I was a Canned Heat fan during the late 1960s (age 15 or so) and will always associate them with the Woodstock generation a few years older than me. Alan Wilson was indeed a strange persona for someone heavily involved in what was at the time a very influential American band. Using today's medical vernacular, he may have been afflicted with Asperger's syndrome. Thanks for providing some background information on him that I was not aware of. And congrats on getting into the Rusk facility - - much appreciated. I'll bet that Todd Rundgren's Ritalin-infused psyche continues to reverberate through that space. Still hoping at some point you will do a comprehensive piece on Spirit, still one of my favorite bands of all time. Their "Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" album is as fresh to me today as it was when I first heard it nearly 53 years ago....

[@RockessentialTim]

A highlight of making this vid was getting into Rusk. One of the few "real" studios left and one I hadn't been inside of for 30 years!

[@jkeane39]

I've been a fan of heat from there beginnings and still a big fan today .I'm 78 having said that let there music do the talking ,they have a lot to say .I love them until I die .

[@RockessentialTim]

[@pumpkinking5174]

Alan was undoubtedly a raw genius blues man. I frequent the Boston area a few times a year and always have drink and a meal at the Menotomy Tavern in Arlington. When you walk the restaurant vestibule, a table to your left has two small framed photos of Alan Wilson. Pretty cool.

[@RockessentialTim]

I will have to visit the next time I'm in Boston. Thanks for the heads up!

[@rickchipman4477]

Thanx for the useful info on one of my favorite bands. At 76, I still listen to them...'specially when I'm tokin' and going for a ride on the ol' Roadking. Been a fan since stationed on Left Coast in the Navy in '67. So many new great bands then and Canned Heat was among the best. Sad to hear Wilson had to wrestle his demons. Peace to all

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on!

[@sygrovesteve5819]

Thanks for this….. his songs my all time favourites since I first heard them when I was about fifteen …… more than 50 years ago. Just bloody excellent

[@RockessentialTim]

[@tybulustyburn5580]

Great film about Al thanks x

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks.