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.

[@terrymoran3705]

This video was surprisingly so personal to me. I grew up in the area around Westwood and Topanga Cyn, grew up listening to those guys, seeing them at beach parties, sitting in the back of the Topanga Corral at 15 yrs old, stoned out of my mind hearing some of the best music in the world. You know there're times I wonder if I actually did stuff like that!? Thanx for the reminder. And Thank you Allen!❤

[@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!!!

[@waynesilverman3048]

13 floor elevators wouldve been like that until psych and music press made that different as it was The greatful dead who always got mentioned when it was elevators who was the first psych band only by 2 weeks but over soaked the experience live and on rec

[@railroadbill5879]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Loved making this one. Thanks!

[@rodrigodiaz2313]

❤❤❤

[@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! ✅️

[@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?

[@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!

[@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.

[@NebulaStudios1]

Definitely way overlooked in the annals of history. Loved his guitar playing. Their Woodstock set was epic.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on!

[@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.

[@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.

[@stevem5685]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Steve.

[@thehighestlove]

The harmonica on On the Road Again is down and dirty and mournful… dripping with vibe. And the drone sound is mesmerizing. A classic song from that era.

[@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.

[@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!

[@jimce2799]

A never mentioned member of the "27" club.

[@ShellyMischelleMorrison]

Yes, I had same thought .★

[@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!

[@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

[@geoffreyschecht6477]

My late wife, Tracey, was Alan’s first cousin. I was always a big Canned Heat fan from the late 1960’s. I found out about this, however, when Tracey and I were dating while living in Stockton CA in the late 1970’s. “On the Road Again” came on the car radio and Tracey blurted out, “Hey! That’s my cousin” when Alan started singing. It was all I could do to avoid running my car off of the road out of distracted disbelief when she said that. I only met Alan’s Mom (Shirley) once along with his youngest sister Heidi while we were living in Baltimore and they came down from Boston to visit. We did correspond with Alan’s oldest sister, Darrell, occasionally over the years prior to her death around 2011. Darrell once told me that she never quite came to terms with Alan’s death and she sometimes felt he was just out on the road touring.

[@RockessentialTim]

Totally interesting stuff. I don't know much about his immediate family other than he had a couple sisters and that his father had to fly to LA to identify the body. I would have loved to ask them if in the light of today's medical vernacular they thought he might be Autistic? Or if they ever suspected he was a genius? Thanks for the great comment!

[@davidjutovsky-rc3ey]

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

[@thomasspoerli4659]

Greetings from a swiss Canned Heat fan, since 1968. Have all their LPS. Alan Wilson was,is, and will be an idol for me. Switzerland, Europe, " the old world".

[@RockessentialTim]

Greetings! They are still touring with Fito de la Para in Europe this summer. Incredible!

[@thomasspoerli4659]

@@RockessentialTim I saw CH in 74 in Lausanne, Vaud county. After the show, I went backstage and got handshakes and autographs from the band. My most loved musician was, and is, Alan Wilson. Sadly, he was dead. I' m a french talking swiss guy, with swiss and german heritage.

[@thomasspoerli4659]

@@RockessentialTim It was a long time ago,... but I still remember of a groupie combing Bob Hite' s long hair, and Henry Vestine, laughing and completely drunk or stone. Still have his autograph. "Henry " King cobra" Vestine"...!! There was Harvey Mandel too. Backstage, in the" loge" ( lodge, in english?) Excuse me for my english...I was a german talking guy, when I was a child, thanks to my parents, and now a french talking one, because I was born and raised in the french talking part of Switzerland. Can you speak french? " Parlez- vous français?" Or, " Sprechen Sie Deutsch?"

[@RockessentialTim]

@@thomasspoerli4659 No matter what language, everyone who met these guys talks about what cool, normal people they were. A great band. I have been to Europe several times but I only speak a little Spanish.

[@thomasspoerli4659]

@@RockessentialTim A great song about Europe... "Tears in the morning", by the Beach Boys. Listen to it... My wife and I spent our honeymoon in the USA, 1992. We visited California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah. Married since 1991 and still happy together. Do you know" Happy Together ", by The Turtles?

[@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.

[@jamesmathews1841]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Rock on!

[@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!

[@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!

[@philiprife5556]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks. Loved making this one.

[@user-ox8ud9ys9m]

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

[@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.

[@jimhitchcock5837]

I sat behind Blind Owl on a DC-8 flight to Atlanta long ago. I was 14 at the time. Their road manager gave me Canned Heat comic book with the band as various cartoon figures. Blind Owl died a month later.

[@RockessentialTim]

That is too cool!

[@michaelpaul5682]

Wow!!!

[@supermantra3437]

Do you still have it?

[@jimhitchcock5837]

​@@supermantra3437Nah, long gone. Sure wish I still had it though.

[@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.

[@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

[@mavjimbo]

The dude's guitar tone was from another universe

[@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.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

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

[@robbinsteel]

I met him in the parking lot at Stony Brook University and had no idea who he was. He jammed some blues with the other two guys I was with playing harmonica. We figured it out later when we saw the band play. Cool guy.

[@RockessentialTim]

OMG!!

[@MicheleSerio-id6ft]

Great story!❤

[@timoconnor8520]

How freaking AWESOME is THAT??? 😗

[@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!

[@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]

❤❤❤❤

[@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!.

[@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!

[@thomasspoerli4659]

@@sweetjimmyt You're right! I bought the single when I was 15. In Lausanne, Vaud county, Switzerland, Europe, " the old world". Still in my collection. Meilleures salutations depuis la Suisse!!

[@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.

[@edwardallan197]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on. He was the best.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@silasshaw5182]

Canned Heat added so much to expand blues into new styles and it’s a huge loss that they didn’t continue.

[@RockessentialTim]

Funny you should mention it cuz I recently connected up with Canned Heat's manager Skip Taylor and they are still touring with original drummer Fito De la Para in Europe and have an album currently on the blues charts that is quite good called "Finyl Vinyl" Check it out if you can!

[@silasshaw5182]

@@RockessentialTim two of the main guys have passed. I haven’t heard about them touring or putting out new material that’s made it into the scene, but if they came here I’d consider going if the reviews were decent. thanks

[@RockessentialTim]

They have a really great blues harmonica player. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3fGZ5KgqLiWrs0

[@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.

[@nickb5391]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks much!

[@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!

[@markventura4253]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure.

[@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!

[@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.

[@kmg3733]

I agree with you about the video. I’ve seen others with a lot of speculation. This one is accurate and informative!

[@walter2990]

My first roommate turned me on to Canned Heat in '73. I wasn't aware of Alan Wilson exactly, and I didn't know that he'd already passed away, but I did (and still do), enjoy their music. Thanks for the video and musical history lesson. I do wish that you'd have been able to include some "cuts" of their music in the video. I know that there's YTube rules dictating using recorded music.

[@AlterMann57]

Thank you so much for posting this video. Alan Wilson as well as the other members of that outstanding band have been nearly forgotten over the years. The fact that such an important and essential band from the 1960's has been ignored by that travesty that is called "The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame" is completely disgusting. I have no intention of ever visiting that place that includes horrific acts as ABBA yet denies the existence of Canned Heat. Alan Wilson was a musical genius, and his ideas about the environment would be similar to what environmental activists are saying today, so he was well ahead of his time with that issue. I also admire him for his respect to the great Blues artists he admired. When John Lee Hooker performed with Canned Heat they had a plywood platform made where Mr. Hooker could sit in his chair and play whilst keeping his own tempo by tapping his foot. There was a mic placed under the platform to record his foot tapping, which was mixed into the recordings. This idea was from an idea by Bob White and Alan Wilson. I love Canned Heat, and so many people chat about the horrible loss of Janis and Jimi that year, but Blind Owl has been forgotten.

[@RockessentialTim]

I agree with almost everything you said but I gotta say, The Blind Owl has not been forgotten. I have been somewhat overwhelmed with the amount of views and comments on this video (I was not expecting it) and its great to hear from folks like yourself who loved his music as much as I do! Thanks for the cool comment!

[@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.

[@billhorstkamp98]

Absolutely love Alan Wilson . One of the best harmonica players ever. Wright up there with little Walter. Thanks for this Man. This is awesome. People need to know more about the blind owl

[@RockessentialTim]

My fave too!

[@IAM-zu9nx]

Alan was sheer 💯 percent talent and blessed us with his music and canned heat has always been our favorite

[@darrellkinkade9205]

THE best doc on "The Blind Owl" EVER!

[@RockessentialTim]

Love it.

[@adrianrabbani3414]

Canned Heat and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, two of the greatest bands ever that have unfortunately been forgotten.

[@RockessentialTim]

I agree that they are 2 of the greatest ever but I have to say, Canned Heat has not been forgotten. I have made about 25 of these vids and this one is number 4 most popular on that list. A lot of people still love them (thank goodness).

[@Luvoldmovies-Kat.St.Aug.]

Enjoyed Tim !Thank you .👍🤩🎸🎼🎤. 👋🐊

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Kat!

[@Luvoldmovies-Kat.St.Aug.]

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

[@candydale8380]

Totally!!!🎶🎵🎸🎧🎤

[@davidjackson2690]

Me too.

[@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!

[@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!

[@RockessentialTim]

Very cool.

[@thecoolestdad]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks my man. Always good to hear from you.

[@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 :)

[@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!

[@leighsayers2628]

Great video .loved it ..grew up listening to canned heat .. From Australia 🦘 🦘🦘

[@RockessentialTim]

So cool!

[@STAN-ik6si]

LOVE CANNED HEAT. THANKS FOR POSTING.👍

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks.

[@STAN-ik6si]

@@RockessentialTim MY PLEASURE CHEERS 🥃🎸

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@user-cv6lx5hs4t]

Going up the country, got me through my teen years. Loved Canned Heat

[@timothydietrich5119]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks!

[@EvanFlanders666]

Great video. Blind Owl never gets near the amount of recognition that he deserves. Love Canned Heat and all the members. Have all their records.

[@RockessentialTim]

Well said!

[@mavjimbo]

His guitar tone was from another universe

[@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!

[@mrdanyel73]

i remember watching this docu about Canned Heat with the drummer talking,great docu about a great band,with some tragic storys though

[@johnking6252]

Loved the harmonica ever since 👍. Thanks bro 🙏

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks.

[@1rwjwith]

Great episode! Blind Owl’s songs were all the hits!

[@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.

[@marktaft6467]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Loved making it. Thanks!

[@GreatCircle360]

In the early 70's, Canned Heat played in Hawaii at the Crater Festival. The next day, some of the members decided to go to Sandy Beach. One of them almost drowned, think it was "Big Fat" but not sure. They were quite high.

[@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

[@arlenesheffield1136]

Stood next to Alan when he was in the audience listening to Little Richard who was the opening act for them at the L.A.Forum. He past not long after that. Wish I would have told him how much I liked his music. This was about 72.

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

When I first heard Al Wilson's harmonica I was hooked. Over sixty years later I'm still playing the blues harp

[@RockessentialTim]

Exactly!

[@motman52]

Well done, Tim. I am a huge A.W. fan. I was 18 and hanging out in Montreal with some musician friends. We were shocked to hear of his death. I was quite steeped in Blues . As a teen I had heard about Son House being in Rochester, N.Y. and getting frostbitten hands after falling asleep in a ditch in Winter. Alan's vocal on Little Walter's "Mean Old World" is great. "It seems to me that I'm just an unlucky So-and-So."😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@RockessentialTim]

I really loved pretty much everything the guy did. I'll have to check out Mean Old World cuz I haven't heard it in ages. Thanks for the cool comment!

[@candydale8380]

Thanks so much, Tim!!!

[@RockessentialTim]

My pleasure!

[@kevinhensley4643]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Thanks, Kevin!

[@roncarter2188]

So many great rock bands pay homage to their idols like Son House, Muddy Waters, Guitar Slim, Johnny Guitar Watson, John Lee Hooker etc. The Blues are still alive and well!

[@RockessentialTim]

Every now and then I know its kinda hard to tell but they still alive and well!

[@paulsmith9542]

The incredible unique voice of Alan Wilson on On the Road Again with that eastern influence drone riff has haunted me for decades !!! Awesome !!!!

[@shanemarcbennett2519]

That voice. that voice. How come hes overlooked in the 27 club?? I just love how he sings. Its so unique. His death is a mystery.

[@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.

[@19del69]

TIM - LOVE THESE HISTORIC ROCKUMENTARIES

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on.

[@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.

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on!

[@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!

[@TheKing60210]

Man its so sad he died so young. You did great justice for him in this video

[@RockessentialTim]

For sure. Way too young!

[@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!

[@aldenmoffatt162]

great history. thanks much! Great band.

[@RockessentialTim]

Loved making this one. Thanks!

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Right on, thanks!

[@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.

[@jokermaan1]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

Agreed!

[@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.

[@christopher9152]

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

[@RockessentialTim]

No one else even remotely like him, right?