Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson
July 4, 1943 – September 3, 1970
Member of the 27 Club
Alan Wilson was the co-founder, lead singer and guitarist for blues rock band, Canned Heat. Formed in 1965 by Wilson and and fellow record junkie, Bob Hite, Canned Heat played an electrified boogie version of the great blues recordings they had collected. Canned Heat endeared themselves to both psychedelic rock fans and the blues crowd by not only kicking ass at the Woodstock AND Monterey festivals, but by producing and recording with John Lee Hooker on the outstanding, Hooker ‘n’ Heat. Alan Wilson died of a drug overdose on September 3, 1970. He was 27 years old.
What You Should Own
Thanks for remembering Blind Owl Wilson, and for your referral to our website!
We remember Blind Owl!
R.I.P. blind owl. He’s such an inspiration, his music is mesmerizing, the best that was ever made.
And as you said he left less polluted, more peaceful world.
I play guitar today because of Blind Owl. I will do whatever I can to keep his spirit going
This was a GREAT band! I’ve listened to Canned Heat since I was a little kid and always loved Blind Owl.The version of On the road again on the new Woodstock Collectors set is worth buying it for.Bob the Bear plays the harmonica on it but Blind Owl plays a fantastic guitar solo in it.RIP Alan, you are loved!
Thanks again for featuring Alan on “The Music’s Over”! We’ve got a great new website dedicated to him, at http://AlanWilsonCannedHeat.com. It’s a family-authorized tribute site, featuring rare photos, videos, song downloads, and even some of Alan’s own writing! For those who love nature, as Alan did, there’s a page where you can contribute toward his ecological mission, in conjunction with the Save-The-Redwoods League.
You’re also welcome to check out my biography of Wilson at http://BlindOwlBio.com. It covers his early experiences with Delta blues legend Son House, his career with Canned Heat, his passion for the environment, and his untimely, mysterious death.
Thanks again and keep that boogie going!