Larry Taylor

Biography

An anchor of the blues-rock movement, Samuel Lawrence Taylor was a bassist whose understated, foundational grooves defined the rhythmic signature of Canned Heat. [1] Nicknamed "The Mole," he first joined the group in 1967, providing a crucial element to their performances at the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock. [1, 5] His career began as a session musician for artists like The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis, later extending to influential work with Tom Waits and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. [1, 3, 4] Taylor’s powerful, intuitive playing on both electric and upright bass shaped a versatile and enduring legacy that bridged early rock and roll with modern blues. [1, 6]