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  1. Canned Heat's FITO de la PARRA Sandy Kaye 52:00

The story of American sixties Blues band, CANNED HEAT is a tragic tale of drugs, alcohol, sex and rock n Roll. 

It was founded by two blues historians and record collectors, Alan Wilson and Bob Hite. This week we meet the band’s sole surviving member, drummer FITO DE LA PARRA who tells us about the band’s incredible journey over the past 60 years. Despite all the excesses and loss of several band members, Canned Heat’s music has not only survived but remains even more popular today. 

Fito discuses his book ‘Living the Blues’ and regales us with stories from the road. He laments about the fact that he was unable to stop lead singer Bob Hite from overdosing and Dying in front of him at his home. He says he watched on as slowly but surely, several members of his band and touring party succumbed to drug and alcohol cocktails. These says de la Parra sometimes contributed to the music. Other times they hampered the artists so severely that playing became impossible.

The conversation between Fito and I takes us from the depth and meaning of Blues music to motorcycle gangs and the way they spend their time. Fito often wonders how life and music may have been different if drugs didn’t play the part they did.  He is grateful he survived that era and continues to lead the band today.

His ex-wife called his book, Living the Blues, repugnant. You are sure to find Fito de la Parra’s stories (and his book) captivating.

For more information about Canned Heat head for https://cannedheatmusic.com/

To pick up a copy of the book, Living the Blues in either English or Spanish https://www.amazon.com.au/Living-Blues-Fito-Parra/dp/0615516041

To send me a request to hear your favourite artist interviewed on A Breath of Fresh Air www.abreathoffreshair.com.au 

I hope you enjoy this episode and would Love to hear your thoughts.

Hello, I’m Sandy Kaye. A freelance broadcaster, journalist and producer who has spent more than 35 years on both sides of radio and television microphones. I’ve worked with every TV network in Australia, have produced and presented for countless radio stations around the country and have hosted my own commercial radio talk-back show. I’ve even held the distinction of being Sydney’s first female newsreader on radio – way back when!

Today my passion is A Breath of Fresh Air which allows me to immerse myself in one of my favourite things – music. I just love all kinds of music and am fascinated by the people who make it. In particular, it’s the music of the '60s '70s and '80s that takes me back to my youth and means so much to me.

As a journalist, I’m all about digging deep into the classic hits of our time.
I bring you intimate, warm, fireside chats with the artists who tell us about their lives both then and now.
We learn about what makes them tick, who they are in their professional and private lives and how they went about making the soundtrack to our lives.

'A Breath of Fresh Air’ is exceptional - exceptional not because of me, but rather because of the stories that some of the best-known musical artists choose to share with me.

I created this podcast to honour them. It’s all about THEIR lives, THEIR stories, THEIR music, told now, in THEIR voices, before they’re lost forever.

I see my podcast as a personal labour of love, but also as an archival legacy for music fans and practitioners alike, both current and future, who otherwise might never know of the amazing people who helped build the industry.

I really hope you enjoy each and every episode of A Breath of Fresh Air.