Harvey Mandel

Biography

Harvey Mandel, born on March 11, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in the Chicago suburb of Morton Grove, Illinois, began his musical journey playing bongos before switching to guitar as a teenager. He immersed himself in Chicago's vibrant blues scene, jamming with legends like Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Albert King, and Buddy Guy at West Side clubs such as Twist City, despite often being underage. By age 20, he was a professional guitarist, making his recording debut on Charlie Musselwhite's 1966 album Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's Southside Band, where his relentless fuzztone, feedback-edged solos, and syncopated phrasing marked him as an innovator in electric blues.[1][2][3]

Mandel's career skyrocketed in the late 1960s when he joined Canned Heat, replacing Henry Vestine just in time to perform at Woodstock in 1969 and contribute to albums like Future Blues. He later played with John Mayall on the 1970 album USA Union, showcasing a cleaner country-ish tone. Nicknamed 'The Snake' by Barry Goldberg for his cracked leather jacket and slithery guitar licks, Mandel pioneered techniques like sustained feedback, multi-string bends, and two-handed fretboard tapping—years before Eddie Van Halen and others—on solo albums such as Baby Batter (1971), The Snake (1972), and Shangrenade. His session work peaked with The Rolling Stones' 1976 album Black and Blue, featuring on 'Hot Stuff' and 'Memory Motel' during their audition process to replace Mick Taylor.[1][2][3][4]

Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Mandel collaborated with acts like Pure Food and Drug Act (with Sugarcane Harris and Larry Taylor), Love, The Ventures, and Roxy Music, while touring as a power trio opener for Jeff Beck and performing in Ron Wood's Miami club Woody's house band alongside Bobby Keys. Relocating between Chicago, San Francisco, and Florida, he continued releasing albums like Planetary Warrior (1997) and forming groups such as Snake Crew and Electric Snake Band. Known for his psych-blues style blending blues-rock, jazz, and funk, Mandel's inventive electric guitar work, effortless sustain, and virtuosic phrasing have cemented his legacy as a pioneering 'guitarist's guitarist' still performing into his later years.[1][2][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Earned the nickname 'The Snake' from Barry Goldberg due to his cracked leather jacket and snake-like guitar licks while playing Chicago's blues circuit.
• One of the first rock guitarists to use two-handed fretboard tapping on his 1972 album Shangrenade, predating Eddie Van Halen and Stanley Jordan by years.
• Played at Woodstock with Canned Heat after being recruited on short notice following an onstage argument that led to Henry Vestine's departure.
• Auditioned for The Rolling Stones in 1975 after Mick Taylor left, contributing to Black and Blue but losing the spot to Ronnie Wood.

Associated Acts

• Canned Heat - guitar family (1969–1971)
• Canned Heat - guitar (1990–1992)
• Canned Heat - guitar (1996–1999)
• Canned Heat - guitar (2010–present)
• Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band
• Pure Food and Drug Act
• USA Union Band
• Acme Thunder
• The Barry Goldberg Reunion
• Chicago Blues Reunion
• Barry Goldberg & Friends
• The Barry Goldberg Blues Band
• Harvey Mandel & The Snake Crew - eponymous
• Nightfire
• The Psychedelic Guitar Circus

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Buddy Guy - jamming partner and stylistic influence in Chicago's West Side blues scene (club performances at Twist City) [late 1950s-early 1960s]
• Barry Goldberg - early collaborator who nicknamed him 'The Snake' (Chicago blues circuit recordings) [early-mid 1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Charlie Musselwhite - original guitarist in his band (Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's Southside Band) [1966]
• Canned Heat - replacement guitarist including Woodstock performance (Future Blues and tours) [1969-1970]
• John Mayall - member of Bluesbreakers (USA Union) [1970]
• The Rolling Stones - session guitarist during guitarist audition (Black and Blue ('Hot Stuff', 'Memory Motel')) [1975-1976]
• Pure Food and Drug Act - guitarist with Sugarcane Harris and Larry Taylor (Choice Cuts) [early 1970s]
• Ron Wood - house band member at Woody's nightclub (live performances with Bobby Keys) [1980]

Artists Influenced

• Eddie Van Halen - adopted two-handed fretboard tapping technique pioneered by Mandel (various Van Halen works) [late 1970s onward]
• Stanley Jordan - followed Mandel's early use of two-handed tapping (solo jazz guitar innovations) [1980s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues-rock, #jazz, #jazz-rock