Canned Heat
at Woodstock 1969
The Los Angeles blues-boogie outfit performed "Going Up the Country," which became the unofficial theme song of Woodstock.
Canned Heat — Woodstock 1969
Canned Heat was formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California by blues enthusiasts Alan Wilson and Bob "The Bear" Hite. The group rose to prominence following their performances at major festivals, becoming prominent during the hippie era. Known for their lengthy psychedelic solos and deep blues roots, they embodied the freewheeling spirit of the era.
The band performed at Woodstock on Saturday, August 16th around 7:30 pm. Their setlist included several signature songs, but most notably "Going Up the Country," which would become the unofficial theme song for the Woodstock experience. The song's vision of escaping to the countryside perfectly captured the dream that brought half a million people to Max Yasgur's farm.
One memorable moment captured in Michael Wadleigh's documentary shows a fan climbing the stage during one performance, and instead of kicking him off, Canned Heat singer Bob Hite shares a cigarette with him — a perfect embodiment of the Woodstock spirit.
Remarkably, the group had fractured two days before Woodstock, but manager Skip Taylor managed to fly the band via helicopter to the festival in the nick of time. Their appearance nearly didn't happen.
Following the deaths of founding members Alan Wilson (1970) and Bob Hite (1981), Adolfo de la Parra kept the band going and they saw renewed success in subsequent years. The ensemble continues performing today, frequently booked on nostalgia and Woodstock anniversary tours. Their performance is seen as one of the highlights of the festival.