That ‘60s Spirit

Saturday night the venerable Ventura Theatre will turn back the clock to half past groovy as those ‘60s stalwarts, Canned Heat and Spirit, entertain the gray-haired former long hairs in the audience.

Canned Heat was a blues and boogie band that in 1968 used to play in Ventura at a place called the Back Door. The group also played at Ventura College a year later and again at a hippie trippy revival show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in 1985.

Canned Heat played at Woodstock and is best known for “Goin’ Up the Country” and “On the Road Again.”

Formed as a jug band in 1966 by the late Bob Hite and the late Alan Wilson, the band, which has never really gone away, tours incessantly and has released more than 25 albums. Old hippies, aspiring hippies and bikers still love them.

Spirit was formed in 1967 in L. A. by, among others, Ojai resident Randy California--who really was born in the Golden State. While still a teen-ager he played with Jimi Hendrix, and remains a master of all things stringed. Spirit was always very tight with heavenly harmonies; plus they could really rock when they were so inclined. Ed Cassidy, the oldest drummer in rock, still beats on the drums.

Their “12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus,” which includes “Nature’s Way,” “Animal Zoo,” and “Mr. Skin,” remains a masterpiece. The band’s biggest hit, which still lives long and prospers on classic rock radio, is “I Got a Line On You.”

Spirit actually played with Canned Heat in Ojai in 1987 at another of those too-late love-ins. They made their Ventura debut last Halloween at the Mayfair Theatre.

Tickets are twelve and a half bucks. How could you want more information? But if you do, call 648-1888.