Canned Heat’s “On the Road Again” transports us back to the funky sounds of 1968. This bluesy song features Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson’s distinctive high-pitched vocals that will transport you to the Summer of Love. The harmonica solo is filled with raw passion, expressing the free-spirited feel of hitting the wide road. Wilson and Bob “The Bear” Hite led the band, which was founded in Los Angeles in 1965.

They chose their name from an old Delta blues tune, which is quite cool. These guys weren’t your typical rock band; they had blues running through their veins. Did you know that Canned Heat performed at all of the major 1960s festivals? They rocked Woodstock, and Monterey Pop, and even performed on the Isle of Wight. Talk about being in the middle of the action! The boys also traveled to Europe for concerts and television appearances.

I recall seeing them on the German show Beat Club lip-syncing this song. “On The Road Again” reached the global charts, confirming Canned Heat’s place in rock history. That pounding beat, combined with Wilson’s ghostly vocals, created something genuinely extraordinary. It’s the kind of tune that stays with you long after the record has stopped playing.

Sadly, the music industry lost a shining star when Alan Wilson died in 1970 at the age of 27. It shook up the band dramatically, resulting in numerous lineup changes throughout the years. Ready to go down memory lane with Canned Heat ? If you enjoy this song, please share it with a friend who could need a dose of 60s nostalgia. Music like this has a way of bringing people together, regardless of when they were born.