Anyone Remember Canned Heat? John Mayall? The Doobie Brothers?

[String Tree]

On this forum and others, I rarely read posts mentioning these artists (and others, but this is the opening salvo). I got curious as to why? All the bands/musicians listed in the subject lines were monstrously popular in their day, selling tons of records and appearing a festivals and concerts. But now they've fallen almost into obscurity? Why?

Canned Heat, in various incarnations (only Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra, the drummer, is an original member) had a talented lineup, wrote a number of original songs, and was considered one of the most genuine blues bands of their time.

Who doesn't know the name John Mayall? The British-born bluesman has not only stayed active for decades (he released his latest album in 2022 - at 88 years of age!), but like contemporary Frank Zappa, was the discoverer of many talented musicians who went on to great fame (Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Peter Green and most of the original Fleetwood Mac members, Jack Bruce, and a seemingly endless list). Often regarded as the King of (British) Blues, and awarded an OBE in 2005, perhaps the Brits have a higher regard for him than do others.

The Doobie Brothers were another mega-hit machine. At one time, the airways were filled with their clean, creative and churning guitars and vocals. I think nearly everyone here can name at least one Doobie hit song ("Listen to the Music," "Long Train Running," "China Grove," to name just three). Where are they now? Like Mayall, the Doobies released an album in 2021. Forty years after their first. Yawn.

Maybe you can think of others. But I'm curious as to why some groups have "staying power" even after they've disbanded, died or simply retired, while others who were kings of the mountain once are now all but forgotten? I have albums by all the ones listed (and more, but I won't go on now).

I'm delighted there's good music. And even one-off (e.g., Blind Faith) can be a treasure. So why are some hit-makers of the past no longer mentioned?

It was great stuff for misguided Youths such as myself.

 

[jrblue]

As everyone has already said (!) we make like these bands but the mainstream music-buying public likes other stuff. Things change so fast that nobody's really looking backwards (unless the see their future as brief...). But that's the nature of pop, and though it often feels disrespectful and sad that something great is not significant in the present, that's really the nature of culture. Heck, most people have no real interest whatsoever in most of the great art, music, and literature produced in the past. I just hope I live long enough to see rap and hip-hop fade or morph into something more creative and interesting. Disco was thoughtful enough to burn out fast.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I am nominally a Gen-X kid—born in 1970–but I “go backwards and forwards” in my musical tastes. I listen to/researched stuff decades before my birth (back to the 20’s) and I still seek out new music now (often with my daughter’s influence).

From what I remember, and from what people who were “there” (my drummer/best friend is “of the era”) have told me, Canned Heat was always kinda an unground band—like an alt-rock college radio blues band that had a brief run of fame, popularity and commercial success, culminating in the appearance at Woodstock and the “Hooker & Heat” album. The death of a key member added to the slide back into obscurity. I know there’s some form of them still out there, but they’re fairly unknown outside of the people who rediscover the Woodstock album every ten years or so.
**Side Note: I do “Going Up The Country” with my daughter’s band (Sheena & the Sideshow), but we do it more like the Kitty Daisy & Lewis arrangement.**

Mayall—as important as he is/was to British Blues music—was often a springboard for other famous people. Yes, he was successful: yes, he had hits, but you don’t hear him on classic rock radio or in commercials, so he’s not as “remembered”…
Also—what is his “signature hit”?
I know the tracks *I* like by him, but most people have no idea of those songs.
Most of his notoriety is from whoever the guitarist was that was playing with him at the time, which is kinda sad because he’s a great harp player and keyboard player, as well as good guitarist and singer.

The Doobies (in my mind) were two different bands. The first was kinda like the Eagles, vocal harmony Americana rock with occasional Southern Rock flourishes (this is the version I like)…but they morphed into Steely Dan-style soft rock when Michael McDonald’s nose got stuffed up and took the greater lead man/singer role…they may have had more commercial success, but I (personally) don’t dig that era of the group. I’d tell him to blow his nose, but Michael McDonald’s career would end if he ever cleared his nasal passages.

 

[Rowdyman]

Saw John Mayall around 71-72. The guitar chair was ably held down by the, (late), great Fenton Robinson.
It was transcendental for me.
Excellent band and performance.

Cheers, RM​

 

[Spudly]

A few years back I worked a Doobies / Little River Band gig. Spent a little time with Pat's tech and got him to pose with this custom beauty. Notice the Washburn Wonder Bar tremolo. They put on a great show. So many hits.

 

[Back at it]

I saw 'Canned Heat' on a UK tour back in the 90s. They were complete and utter rubbish. I don't think they'd practised together, ever. Or had a soundcheck at the venue. It really was embarrassingly bad.

Maybe there's a reason they're forgotten...

By the 90’s most of the members of canned heat were dead, I think only the drummer fito de la parra is still alive

 

[Chester P Squier]

A few years back I worked a Doobies / Little River Band gig. Spent a little time with Pat's tech and got him to pose with this custom beauty. Notice the Washburn Wonder Bar tremolo. They put on a great show. So many hits.


View attachment 1076821

I’d love to pick up Pat’s guitar and play the opening chords to “Long Train Running.”

 

[notmyusualuserid]

By the 90’s most of the members of canned heat were dead, I think only the drummer fito de la parra is still alive

Hence my inverted commas

 

[Colo Springs E]

On this forum and others, I rarely read posts mentioning these artists (and others, but this is the opening salvo). I got curious as to why? All the bands/musicians listed in the subject lines were monstrously popular in their day, selling tons of records and appearing a festivals and concerts. But now they've fallen almost into obscurity? Why?

I'm delighted there's good music. And even one-off (e.g., Blind Faith) can be a treasure. So why are some hit-makers of the past no longer mentioned?

"Hit makers?"

I'm 60 years old, and between Canned Heat and Mayall, I can name one song.

The Doobie Bros were of course very popular, no argument there.

 

[Bob Womack]

A few years back I worked a Doobies / Little River Band gig. Spent a little time with Pat's tech and got him to pose with this custom beauty. Notice the Washburn Wonder Bar tremolo. They put on a great show. So many hits.


View attachment 1076821

IIRR that guitar was commissioned by his wife. It was stolen, and several years later was returned. Boy, it looks like the volume pot and the bridge pickup share a route!

I’d love to pick up Pat’s guitar and play the opening chords to “Long Train Running.”

Per Ted Templeman's book, the recorded version was played on a thinline hollow body such as an ES330. They ran it through an amp AND mic'd the guitar's F-hole for that interesting sound we all were trying to figure out.

Bob

 

[Bob Womack]

Wait. Hold on. The technique above as listed in the book under "Listen to the Music." I saw Tom Johnston play "Long Train Runnin' " on a Fender Tele Deluxe Thinline when it came out.

Bob

 

[notmyusualuserid]

"Hit makers?"

I'm 60 years old, and between Canned Heat and Mayall, I can name one song.

The Doobie Bros were of course very popular, no argument there.

I'm 68 years old, and I can name several albums by both bands. All of those albums had songs on them

 

[Eddiebaby1]

So was Jeff Beck. Didn’t seem to help him in the end.

Nothing helps anyone in the end.

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

Fair enough but are you suggesting self created obesity and diabetes is a good life path because "no one knows"?

Not knowing the future is an oh so common and bad bad excuse for lazy hedonism.

Plus obesity and diabetes is known to be a life shortener...

yeah operating on the assumption that More life/Less suffering is the agreed upon standard, in this context is accepted as a good thing.
Being in recovery I have a 35 plus year sampling of living a lifestyle based in recovery rather than 35 years of practicing my favorite self negating life style......
Well the people that I used to run with (codependent with) 35 years ago are all dead now, and their lives were what politely put were challenging in many unpleasant ways.
This is not to say that my life has not been challenging but the challenges contributed to a happier healthier lifestyle. YES, I am still going to die , but he maybe it ( my death ) can be a gentler kinder death than the other death that I was investing in .

 

[57joonya]

Yes, I remember them. They were some of those my kids listened to.

Are u 90+ ? Congrats on making so far old timer

 

[57joonya]

I have songs from all three of those bands that pop on my song list at work probably every day . I’m really digging some of the canned heat that I never had until recent.
Lots of great stuff from all those guys

 

[schmee]

many, but yeah: T o m P e t t y