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CANNED HEAT

The Canned Heat band was looking for a supporting act with a large P.A. system and professional light show to do a New/England/Canadian tour in the winter of 1976. It just so happened that the band Arlen was in at the time had both of those items, as well as a Top 10 record, Sandman.

The Canned Heat tour started in January of 1976 with Massachusetts, New York and Boston dates, then went on to Toronto, where they met up with the Michael Polacco band in Montreal, heading on to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (by way of ferry), Nova Scotia and back to Quebec.

The trip consisted of a 45-day bus tour, including the most amazing happenings you could imagine. Our equipment truck broke down in the first week (seized engine); during the second show of the tour, someone broke into our room and stole all our band money; and the heater went out in our travel van on the way home from Quebec.

The tour itself was great exposure for everyone. The 40-passenger tour bus was set up in three sections:




Sitting in the front of the bus, was the Michael Polacco band, known as “the fruit and nut section.” They were always eating health food and never drinking alcohol.

 

 

The middle of the bus was occupied by Canned Heat. They were the “trash section.” They were always throwing food scraps everywhere, and they were always having fun!

 


The back of the bus was occupied by Salem Witchcraft, aptly named the “toilet section,” since the “louve” is in the rear of the bus.

There was never a dull moment on or off the bus. The Canned Heat band partied all day and all night.

 

One night the Canned Heat band decided to streak the stage bare-butt naked while we were doing our set.

We did one better and wrapped up our personals in aluminum foil and streaked during their set, doing a kick/dance/show across the stage.

It was Hilarious.

 

Bob and Fito were the original singer and drummer for Canned Heat, (Woodstock, Monterey Pop Festival, Goose Lake, etc.!) and they were a wealth of information (good and bad). You learn a lot about the road traveling with someone who has done it for 20+ years.

Bob has passed on, but Fito still continues to rock-on and is still the backbone beat for the Canned Heat Band.

For more information on Canned Heat, go to www.cannedheatmusic.com.

 

© 2006 Arlen Viecelli All Rights Reserved.