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.
