Canned Heat is an American blues rock band founded by Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson and Bob "The Bear" Hite in 1965.
The band's classic line-up consisted of Wilson on slide guitar, vocals and harmonica, Hite on vocals and harmonica, Henry "The Sunflower" Vestine on lead guitar, Larry "The Mole" Taylor on bass and Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra on drums.
The band's current line-up includes De la Parra, singer, guitarist and harmonicist Dale Wesley Spalding (since 2008), bassist Rick Reed (since 2019), and guitarist/keyboardist Jimmy Vivino (since 2021).
Stuart Brotman departed in early 1967, he was replaced by Mark Andes and then by Samuel Larry Taylor in March that year.
[1] After releasing their self titled debut album in July, the band replaced Cook with Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra.
Taylor and Mandel both departed in 1970 to join the Bluesbreakers, they were replaced by Antonio de la Barreda and the returning Vestine respectively.
In 1976 Taylor departed,[3] and was replaced by guitarist Stan Webb (of Chicken Shack)[4] on a temporary basis before Mark Skyer joined.
[5] The band was revived with Larry Taylor returning on bass and new members Mike "Hollywood Fats" Mann (guitar) and Ronnie Barron (piano).
[8][9] The band again had to continue due to contractual reasons, Hite was replaced by singer and harmonica player Rick Kellogg.
In 1995, frontman James Thornbury left the band after ten years on amicable terms, Robert Lucas replaced him in the line-up.
Mandel returned in 1996 with Shumake departing soon after, Mark "Pocket" Goldberg temporarily took the vacant bass spot, before Greg Kage joined permanently.
He died, age 46, on November 23, 2008, at a friend's home in Long Beach, California; the cause was an apparent drug overdose.