Harvey Mandel
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Born in Detroit, Michigan on 11 march 1945 and raised in Chicago. Mandel became the original guitarist with Charlie Musselwhite, releasing the debut album Stand Back! in 1966. As a result of heavy airplay in San Francisco, they were invited to play the Fillmore by Bill Graham. Harvey Mandel moved to the Bay Area, regularly performing at the infamous club "The Matrix", where local favorites like Jerry Garcia, Elvin Bishop and Jefferson Airplane would sit in and jam.
On meeting the producer Abe Kesh, was able to release his first solo album for Phillips/Mercury Records entitled, "Cristo Redentor" in 1968, which included his version of "Wade in the Water," still a classic to this day.
In July 1969 he replaced Henry Vestine as lead guitarist in blues band Canned Heat Harvey remained with Canned Heat for 9 months (until april 1970) with slide guitarist/vocalist Alan Wilson and singer Bob "The Bear" Hite. The custom of Canned Heat suggested that each member of the band acquired a nickname upon joining the band. Harvey's nickname, "The Snake,"on the other hand, was given to him years before by keyboardist Barry Goldberg in Chicago (attributed to his cracked leather jacket and "snake-like guitar licks") After several tours and 3 albums, including "Future Blues", he was recruited by British blues man John Mayall to be a member of the Bluesbreakers, recording the adventurous album, titled "USA Union".
The band featured Mandel with Canned Heat bass player Larry "The Mole" Taylor, and legendary violinist Don "Sugarcane" Harris. Mandel also appeared on another significant Mayall album, "Back To The Roots", on which Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor also guested.
He resumed his solo career, releasing several more albums for Janus Records in the 1970's including the classics, Baby Batter, The Snake, and Shangrenade, the ground-breaking record where Harvey employed 2-handed fretboard tapping. Mandel was one of the first rock guitarists to utilize this technique, years before Eddie Van Halen and Stanley Jordan came along.
One of Mandel's most significant session credits was his participation on Black and Blue, the 1976 LP from The Rolling Stones.
Following his success with the Stones, he became a busy session player, with groups such as Love and The Ventures, and opened for Jeff Beck on his Canadian tour as a power trio with Jimmy Haslip, bassist for The Yellowjackets. He relocated to Chicago in the late 70's and continued to tour extensively as well as supporting groups such as Roxy Music. In 1980, Harvey Mandel relocated to Florida as a member of the house band at Ron Wood's Miami night club, "Woody's," with Rolling Stones saxman Bobby Keys.
