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Park City
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Canned Heat Comes To Park City

Canned Heat

Instead of “Goin Up the Country” fans of Canned Heat can go up Main Street this weekend to the Egyptian—where the band is playing January 11th to the 13th.

KPCW spoke with Skip Taylor, who has been with the band, on and off, for 52 years. He produced their original hits, including “Going Up the Country” and “On the Road Again.”

He said the current group has the genuine Canned Heat sound and attitude and has been together for about 10 years.

“Two of the very originals, Adolfo de la Parra the drummer/percussionist and Larry Taylor that they call the mole, playing bass and guitar and singing also once in a while. He’s been there from the very beginning as well and also on all of Tom Waits’ records as well as 50 other artists through the years. He’s one of the most used bass players. The other two guys, Dale Spalding has been with us now 10 years, a harmonica player originally all the way back to Ray Charles, and Dr. John and lots of the Zydeco and kind of vans of New Orleans. He’s lead vocalist, guitar, harmonica a little of everything. John Paulus, known as JP who was with John Mayall playing in his band for eight years prior to Canned Heat. He’s been with us on and off for 10 years now playing both lead guitar and bass.”

Taylor said the line-up is second only to the original band which included Bob Hite, Alan Wilson, and Henry Vestine.

“These guys are true to the Canned Heat sound and attitude. They’re able to do a lot of the original stuff because of Larry Taylor playing bottleneck and slide guitar now as well. The energy the band has today is as great as it’s ever been.”

Taylor said the band members don’t need the money. They’re playing today because they want to.

He said a half-century after their founding, the band’s music has become part of the common culture.

“We have the number one and number two most played commercials in America right now using our songs. Geico Insurance using “Going Up The Country”, like where did bill and bob go? Oh, they’re going up the country and then they go sing that. Then we’ve got the biggest company in the world Amazon using “Let’s Work Together”. We never figured that would be part of our legacy down the road 50 years ago making those songs.”

Taylor added that they’re looking forward to playing at the Egyptian Theatre.

“Thinking it’s about the best indoor venue in America. The refurbishing of that building and that theatre with the sound and lights and seating for the audience. It’s as good of place as any to see a band as anywhere in the U.S. We really look forward to it because of the production company that’s there and what they do with Go Pro cams and old video and photographs. They really enhance the musical performance.”

The band plays on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, Sunday at 6:00 pm. For tickets or more information call 649-9371 or click here.

Known for getting all the facts right, as well as his distinctive sign-off, Rick covered Summit County meetings and issues for 35 years on KPCW. He now heads the Friday Film Review team.
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