R. I. P. Norton Buffalo, Harmonica Master

The Blind Owl Blues Blog pays tribute to Norton Buffalo, harmonica master, who passed away on October 30. Norton was a longtime member of the blues-based Steve Miller Band, as well as a solo artist and frequent duo performer with slide guitarist Roy Rogers. He can also be heard on recordings by a wide variety of blues, rock, and pop artists including Bonnie Raitt, the Doobie Brothers, and Commander Cody.

Although Norton's music was not directly related to that of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson other than being based partly in blues harmonica tradition, his fine musicianship and brilliant performances call for us to honor his memory in this forum. Musicologist and author Rebecca Davis Winters says, "Norton's incredible talent and energy has inspired me for many years. He was one of the most dynamic and exciting players I have ever witnessed in live performance. On three occasions, I was fortunate enough to see him play with the Steve Miller Band, and will always remember his friendliness and graciousness when I met him in person. His great spirit came through in his music, and will continue to bring joy into the lives of fans for decades to come."

Rest in peace, Norton, and may the Blind Owl welcome you into that big jam session on the other side.

Blind Owl Blues Blog welcomes a new team member!

The Blind Owl Blues Blog is pleased to welcome a new team member: management consultant, promoter, and Alanologist Sophronia Bonto.

Because of author Rebecca Davis Winters' busy schedule and recent health issues, Sophronia will be taking over all website management, book sales, promotional activities, and blog posts. We foresee that her expertise will help to spread the word of Blind Owl Wilson more efficiently throughout the world!

Coming soon: commentary on recent government activities prophesied by the Blind Owl himself in "Poor Moon"! Stay tuned to the Blind Owl Blog for more Alan-related information as well as commentary on the kind of ecological and sociopolitical issues we think he would care about. And don't forget to send in your own Alanological essays, poems, short stories, and other contributions! You can reach Sophronia at sophroniabonto@gmail.com ... and if you don't yet have the Blind Owl bio, drop her a line to learn about getting your copy!

September 3rd, 1970: It's Been 39 Years Since Alan Wilson's Death

The thirty-ninth anniversary of Alan Wilson's death was yesterday. His death is one of rock and roll's most heavily shrouded mysteries, with various factors over the years pointing to suicidal inclinations, yet evidence suggesting that these did not actually meet fruition, but rather that his death was caused by other means largely accidental. The full story - or, perhaps we should say, stories - of Alan Wilson's demise can be read in Blind Owl Blues by Rebecca Davis Winters.

As for the Author of that biography, she tried to stay off the blasted Internet during yesterday's actual anniversary, having been buried beneath a mountain of projects, clients, books, class work, and folks seeking coffee and various espresso drinks. At a local coffee house here in the Rocky Mountains, we were pleased to honor Alan's life and observe the anniversary of his ascension to the celestial realms.

Fortieth Anniversary of Poor Moon Landing

Yesterday, July 20, was the fortieth anniversary of the United States manned moon landing. This month, Alanologists all over the solar system also observe the fortieth anniversary of his song, "Poor Moon", which was released as a single shortly after the moon landing. This piece is his response to the ego-driven exploration and defacing of the Moon, which is still burdened with rubbish and discarded equipment from NASA's meddling about.

The Moon is typically regarded as a satellite. However, you should note that according to one well accepted scientific definition, the Moon and Earth qualify as a double planet system. (Pluto, however, has never been a proper planet at all, blind sentiment and other such griping aside.)

In "Poor Moon", a recording done under Canned Heat's auspices and name but clearly composed, structured and directed by the genius of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, the Moon is addressed directly, almost as a lover. Alan fears that "your face" will be polluted and destroyed by the carelessness of humankind, as he had already seen happen to his beloved Earth.

Most people nowadays blindly swallow the concept of space "exploration" because they think it should be done for its own sake, for patriotism or human pride, or because they foolishly believe that humankind could (or should) attempt colonization of another planet. The space program has become a "sacred cow", so to speak, in our culture, even for those who should know better.

To all of this, the author of Blind Owl Blues echoes Alan's sentiment of the inverted flag seen on the cover of Future Blues later in 1970. It's a distressing situation indeed. Instead of such foolishness, let us get back to the Earth that nourishes us, ground ourselves in Her fertile soils and in gardens of our own making, and remember that gravity pulls us back to that Sacred Ground for a reason! We're not going to the Moon, we are simply admiring her as we take that road Up The Country. Baby, do you want to go?

Alan, of course, had a special connection with the Moon, it being the ruler of his astrological sign Cancer (July 4, 1943). This helps us understand his intuition and extreme emotional sensitivity.

Know of any other lunar-oriented protest songs? Have thoughts on Alan's relationship with the Moon? Leave a comment and join the Alanological community.

Happy Birthday Alan Wilson!

It's July 4, and for Alanologists everywhere it's more than the day of our nation's founding. It's also the appearance day of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson! He was born approximately 8 a.m. on this day in 1943, in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Here at the Blind Owl Blues Blog we are pleased and excited to celebrate the day of his appearance. If Alan was living today, he would be 66 years old. We wonder what he would look like, but since we'll never know, we are content to pay tribute to his all-too-short earthly life of 27 years.

Alanologist and artist Cat has created a wonderful portrait, infused with the essence of Alan's gentle spirit and his love of nature. We thank her for this beautiful birthday tribute to the Blind Owl, and are proud to present its debut on the Blind Owl Blues Blog!


While you are celebrating Alan's birthday today, take some time to check out Cat's other artwork - including many Alan-inspired pieces - on her website here!

Stay tuned to this blog for more Alan birthday specials, coming up....

Blind Owl Bio website under construction!

Exciting news!! The Blind Owl Bio website, blindowlbio.com, is being rebuilt. (You can still buy your copy of BLIND OWL BLUES, the book, there safely and securely through Google Checkout.)

Check back for updates to the website... and stay tuned to this blog for all things Alanological!

A Brief Review of the Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson Biography - By Dan Todd

For the discerning blues listener, no post-war figure has remained more shrouded in mystery and intrigue than Alan C. Wilson, inspiration and founding member of Canned Heat. The “Blind Owl’s” untimely death in 1970 left this seminal group without its signature voice, the voice of a lonely and powerful mind, heart, and soul. His introspective, absolutely original and creative modern blues drive and contributions have inspired musicians, young and old, blues and non-blues, for the 35 years since his passing. “Legendary” is not too strong a word, and the truth behind the legend can now be known. At last.

Rebecca Davis Winters cannot be congratulated enough for her ten-years-in-the-making research and documentation project, uncovering the full story of Al’s childhood, contributions to blues music and scholarship, and personal struggle to create true art in modern America. Her exhaustive research and clear and calm narrative voice can be experienced fully in her most recent book, Blind Owl Blues, (2007) now available through her website at http://blindowlbio.com.

Anyone interested in blues, unique musical expression, and the hardships necessarily endured by original creative artistic hearts and minds will find this book an indispensable addition to his or her collection. Blues is the true story told truthfully – do yourself a favor. Go out of your way to get this book!

- Dan Todd