Back in 1972 ( at age 17 ) I used to jam with Bob Hite's stepson , a kid named Eddie Morrow who ( tried ) to play drums . Eddie and his sister Paula lived in Sylmar , Ca . On several occasions we got to go to the Bear's Topanga house , which I recall as being very close to the Topanga Post Office . I have a memory of us jamming in the garage / basement while a rotund fellow stood in the corner smoking a joint - I asked him nicely if he wouldn't mind passing it around , which he did . my two friends
( Eddie , and possibly Steve Roderick on guitar ) later informed me that was the Bear ! I also have a memory of us sitting in their living room ,
rolling an entire lid of crappy pot in the giant Cheech & Chong paper from the Big Bambu album , using a pair of pliers as a roach clip . In the middle of the living room were several rows of library shelves , filled with old 78's . I also remember us going behind the house , which was kind of a steep hill , lots of vegetation - to get high - this was apparently near where Wilson died , but I don't recall us being aware of that at the time . Sad to hear that place isn't there any more . . .

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to include Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson of Canned Heat on your website. You may also be interested to know that Alan had often slept on the hillside behind Hite's house. He was very fond of nature and enjoyed camping outdoors, in his sleeping bag, whenever he could. That's one reason it took a while for the house residents to find his body - - it was considered normal for him to be on the hillside, so not much was thought of it at first.

I've written a bio of Alan which you might find of interest; you can read an excerpt on my website at BlindOwlBio.com. My research strongly indicates that he did not commit suicide, but was rather the victim of tragic circumstance. Either way, as you mentioned, it was indeed a terrible loss.

I'd also recommend that fans check out the family tribute website at AlanWilsonCannedHeat.com, a wonderful resource including videos, memorabilia and music downloads.

Thanks again for including Alan and don't forget to boogie, as Canned Heat always said during their live shows!

I must have driven by this place a thousand times and had no idea about what happened here. Thanks!