Bob Hite with Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson’s Guitar -  Published in ”Sounds” magazine 10-16-1971

Bob “The Bear” Hite was a crucial part of the West Coast Blues revival of the late 1960’s. Along with fellow musicologist Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson, he helped formed the first incarnation of the legendary Canned Heat as a Jug Band.  Their perfomances at  the 1967 Montery Pop Festival and the 1969 Woodstock Festival put them on the map as true Bluesmen seeking to revitalize an art form. Hite toured nonstop with Canned Heat and performed as the group’s barrel-housing lead singer until his death of a heart attack on April 5, 1981. He helped with the revitalization of John Lee Hooker, Sunnyland Slim, and  Albert Collins’ careers, and produced the now-legendary “Hooker ‘N Heat” double-album for Liberty Records in 1971.  Hite is most remembered by the flower-power generation for his 1970 gold single;  Let’s Work Together,” and his Endless on-stage boogie jams.  Producer/Drummer Fito de la Parra continues Canned Heat’s legacy   in the boogie’s 40th year!                                                                                                                - bobhite.net staff