Al 'Blind Owl' Wilson was one of the more interesting characters on the 60's music scene. A contemporary (and fellow traveler) of
John Fahey, and student of blues history and with Bob Hite, the founder of seminal 60's blues-rockers
Canned Heat (
youtube video of Wilson and the Heat featuring the Owl on vocals) . A painfully introverted man who suffered from depression and addiction throughout his life, Wilson had a light touch and lack of histrionics uncommon among his blues-revival contemporaries. He died by his own hand at 27.
Blind-owl.net is a loving and comprehensive tribute, featuring many rare
interviews and
photos.
posted by jonmc
on Mar 22, 2006 -
11 comments
Jesus Freak Rock of the 60's &
70's.
Rising out of the post-
hippie "
Jesus Freak" culture, many of the adherents were disenchanted counterculturists or just plain casualties of the time. Many of the musicians were already rockers before converting, so they were comfortable with the idiom, and it seemed to be more about sincerity than political propoganda. Compared to today's CCM corporate juggernaut it seems positively guileless.
posted by jonmc
on Mar 20, 2005 -
20 comments
