Fito learned to love the blues in Mexico where he was born. After much success
playing with two of the biggest Latin American bands, Los Sinners and Los
Hooligans and other pop and rock bands during the early ‘60s, he moved to Los
Angeles. There he played with artists such as The Platters, Etta James, The
Rivingtons, and Mary Wells before joining a new band called CANNED HEAT in
1967. During his 40 years with Canned Heat, Fito has also played with some of the
greatest blues singers of our time, including Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Albert
Collins, and George “Harmonica” Smith. His solid, basic drumming and fantastic
solos have led to recording sessions with John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, and
Clarance “Gatemouth” Brown. Fito has also written his personal history of and
with Canned Heat, “LIVING THE BLUES” (now available through the band’s
website and most book outlets). As “Keeper of the Flame,” he has remained the
rhythmic and spiritual force behind CANNED HEAT’s music for over three
decades. Since reuniting with the band’s original manager/producer, Skip Taylor,
in 1998, Fito again concentrates all of his effort as the drummer and leader of the
band.