Keywords Pop Groups

The Bachman/Cummings ballad 'These Eyes,' recorded for Nimbus 9 Productions and released by RCA (see BMG Music Canada Inc), was a million-selling single in 1969. In 1970 Bachman left the group, but despite several lineup changes The Guess Who continued to release successful singles and albums. Cummings launched a solo career with Portrait Records in America in 1976. Over 20 singles from 1969 to 1976, such as 'Laughing' and 'American Woman,' were million sellers, and 'Undun,' 'No Time,' 'No Sugar Tonight,' 'Hand Me Down World,' 'Share the Land,' 'Albert Flasher,' 'Rain Dance,' 'Star Baby,' 'Clap for the Wolfman,' and 'Dancin' Fool' were substantial international hits. The band won Juno Awards as the best vocal-instrumental group in 1965 and annually 1967-70. 'These Eyes' brought Jack Richardson a Juno in 1968 for best-produced single.

In its heyday, during which Cummings emerged as the band's central personality and major songwriter, The Guess Who underwent several personnel changes: Bachman (later to form Brave Belt with Chad Allan, and then BTO) was replaced in 1970 by the guitarists Kurt Winter (b 2 Apr 1946, d 14 Dec 1997) and Greg Leskiw; Leskiw was replaced in 1972 by Don McDougall, Kale in 1972 by Bill Wallace, and Winter and McDougall in 1974 by Dom Troiano.

The band toured extensively 1969-75 throughout North America and appeared in New Zealand and Australia in 1973. It performed at the White House in Washington, DC, in 1970 and gave a royal command performance in London in 1973. Canadian appearances included annual concerts 1971-5 before audiences of up to 20,000 at the CNE. The band, as led by Cummings, gave its 'final' concert 13 Sep 1975 at the Montreal Forum.

Cummings and Bachman reunited for concerts and CBC and PBS (USA) TV appearances in 1977 and again for concerts in 1987. Under Kale's direction a reconstituted Guess Who began touring and recording in 1978 and continued with ongoing changes in personnel through the 1980s, completing LPs for the Aquarius and El Mo labels. Despite pursuing solo careers, Cummings, Bachman, Kale and Peterson reassembled for national tours in 1983 and 1985, and in 1999 they reunited to perform at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg. The band then embarked on a national tour in 2000 that was followed by a live double-CD.

The Guess Who were inducted into the Canadian Recording Arts & Sciences (CARAS) Hall of Fame during the 1987 Juno Awards, and in 2001 members of The Guess Who were awarded doctorates from the University of Brandon (Manitoba). Also in 2001, they were inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto and in 2002 received the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards and were the first artists to be inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, an honour normally reserved for music industry executives. Cummings and Bachman were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.

Discography

Shakin' All Over. 1965. Quality Records Ltd. Qual V-1756

Bibliography

Quig, James. 'The beat pounds on,' Weekend Magazine, 17 Aug 1968

Links to Other Sites
Randy Bachman
The official website for legendary Canadian rock singer-songwriter Randy Bachman.

Domenic Troiano Guitar Scholarship
The website for the Domenic Troiano Guitar Scholarship, named in honour of acclaimed Canadian guitarist Domenic Troiano. Features a biography of Troiano and brief profiles of the scholarship trustees.

Jack Richardson
A profile of the acclaimed record producer Jack Richardson. From the website for the Jack Richardson Music Awards.

Mix: Jack Richardson
A feature article on award-winning producer Jack Richardson. From the publication "Mix."

The CanCon Atlas
An interactive map depicting some of the Canadian places celebrated in song. Click on the map icons around the country to view music videos by a cross-section of Canadian musicians. From the CBC website.