Hollywood Fats

Michael Leonard Mann (March 17, 1954 – December 8, 1986),[1] known as Hollywood Fats, was an American blues guitarist, active in Los Angeles, California.

While in his teens, his mother would drive him to various clubs in South Central Los Angeles to jam with well-known blues musicians when they came to town.

[3] He played on a number of his records including Thank You Baby; Those Dangerous Gentlemans; Extra Napkins (Strictly the Blues); Mo' Na' Kins, Please!

Soon after Canned Heat bassist Larry Taylor replaced Smith[2] and they started calling themselves the "Hollywood Fats Band".

[1] For a King Biscuit Flower Hour concert on September 7, 1979, which was later to be released on LP and CD, Hollywood Fats played the lead guitar in Canned Heat.

[8] Around 2002, the remaining original members of the Hollywood Fats Band were reunited with young Kirk Fletcher on guitar, and recorded some new material.

The second album Road To Rio comes with a bonus CD titled Larger Than Life which consists of previously unreleased live recordings of the original Hollywood Fats Band.