Alan Wilson of Canned Heat – Rockers Who Died at Age 27

Alan Wilson, guitarist, singer, harmonica player and primary songwriter in Canned Heat, died on Sept. 3, 1970 due to an overdose of barbiturates. It has never been determined whether or not Wilson, who suffered from depression and had reportedly attempted suicide before, took his own life.

Known as "Blind Owl" due to his poor eyesight, Wilson founded the quintessential boogie group in 1965 in Los Angeles with other blues lovers. He wrote and sang lead on the group's two biggest hits, "On the Road Again" and "Going up the Country." They had just finished recording an album with one of their idols, John Lee Hooker, when Wilson died.