The Guess Who are not just a band; they are a cornerstone of Canadian rock history. Emerging from Winnipeg in the 1960s, this group delivered a string of iconic hits that resonated across North America and beyond. Their journey, marked by evolving lineups and a diverse catalog of songs, cemented their place in music history. To truly appreciate their impact, one must delve into the story behind The Guess Who Songs and the band itself.
From Winnipeg Roots to “Shakin’ All Over”
The story of The Guess Who began with Chad Allan, who formed The Silvertones in the late 1950s with fellow Winnipeg teenagers, including Jim Kale. The addition of Randy Bachman and Garry Peterson in 1962, alongside a name change to Chad Allan & The Reflections, marked a significant step in their evolution. Bob Ashley joined on keyboards, and by 1965, they were known as Chad Allan & the Expressions. Heavily influenced by the British Invasion, the band released singles and albums, cultivating a local Winnipeg following. However, wider Canadian radio airplay remained elusive due to the limited support for Canadian music at the time.
Chad Allan of The Guess Who in his early years, performing with The Expressions.
This changed dramatically with their cover of “Shakin’ All Over” in 1965. Producer George Struth, aiming to boost airplay, released it under the moniker “Guess Who?”. The marketing tactic, suggesting a mysterious British band, proved effective, propelling “Shakin’ All Over” to No. 1 in Canada and No. 22 in the US. This early Guess Who song became their breakthrough hit, launching them onto a larger stage and setting the foundation for their future success.
The Rise of Burton Cummings and Chart-Topping Guess Who Songs
Following the success of “Shakin’ All Over,” and now officially known as The Guess Who?, the band toured extensively. In early 1966, Burton Cummings replaced Bob Ashley on keyboards, and shortly after, Chad Allan’s departure elevated the 18-year-old Cummings to lead singer. This lineup shift proved pivotal in shaping the signature Guess Who sound that fans would come to love. While early releases like It’s Time (1966) and singles such as “His Girl” faced challenges, the band persevered, even spending two years as the house band on CBC’s Let’s Go, hosted ironically by Chad Allan, to manage debts from a UK tour.
Throughout 1966-1968, The Guess Who released a series of singles, many of them ballads, achieving Top 40 success in Canada with songs like “Hurting Each Other.” However, album sales lagged. A turning point came with A Wild Pair (1968), a split album with The Staccatos, which increased their Canadian exposure thanks to a Coca-Cola promotion. By 1968, they officially dropped the question mark, becoming The Guess Who, poised for even greater achievements.
International Fame and Iconic Guess Who Hits: “These Eyes” and “American Woman”
The classic lineup of Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Jim Kale, and Garry Peterson, along with producer Jack Richardson, marked the beginning of The Guess Who’s international ascent. Richardson’s belief in the band led him to mortgage his house to finance Wheatfield Soul (1969). This gamble paid off immensely with the release of “These Eyes.” This quintessential Guess Who song became a million-seller, breaking into the Top 10 in both Canada and the US, and establishing a fruitful partnership between the band and Richardson.
The prairie theme continued with Canned Wheat (1969), quickly released to capitalize on the success of “Laughing” and “Undun.” But it was American Woman (1970) that catapulted The Guess Who to superstardom. The title track, “American Woman,” born from an improvised riff by Bachman during a concert, became a monumental hit. Cummings’ spontaneous lyrics resonated deeply, and the song made history as the first by a Canadian rock group to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, holding the top spot for three weeks.
The B-side, “No Sugar Tonight,” also reached No. 1 in both Canada and the US, further solidifying the album’s dominance. “No Time,” originally from Canned Wheat but re-recorded for American Woman, became the album’s third hit single. The American Woman album reached No. 9 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, their only album to reach the US Top 10, a testament to the power of these Guess Who songs.
Post-Bachman Era and Continued Success with New Guess Who Songs
Randy Bachman’s departure in 1970 marked a significant change. He later formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive, another iconic Canadian band. However, The Guess Who persevered, replacing Bachman with Kurt Winter and Greg Leskiw. Winter became Cummings’ primary songwriting partner, ushering in a new era. Share The Land (1970), the first album with the new lineup, produced hits like “Hand Me Down World,” “Bus Rider,” and the title track, proving the band’s resilience. “Hang on to Your Life” and “Albert Flasher” further cemented their continued success.
So Long, Bannatyne (1971) followed, featuring popular singles “Rain Dance” and “Sour Suite.” Donnie McDougall replaced Leskiw, and the live album Live at the Paramount (1972) captured their stage energy, yielding the hit “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon.” Lester Bangs famously declared, “The Guess Who is God,” highlighting their enduring appeal. Studio albums like Rockin’ (1972) and Artificial Paradise (1973) followed, with “Follow Your Daughter Home” achieving Top 20 success in Canada. #10 (1973) produced “Glamour Boy,” another charting single.
Road Food (1974) brought a commercial resurgence with “Clap for the Wolfman” and “Star Baby,” demonstrating their ability to evolve and produce new hit Guess Who songs. Domenic Troiano replaced Winter and McDougall, becoming Cummings’ songwriting partner for Flavours (1975), known for “Dancin’ Fool.” Power in the Music (1975) was Cummings’ last album with the band, as he embarked on a successful solo career.
Later Years and The Enduring Legacy of The Guess Who Songs
Despite Cummings’ departure, The Guess Who name continued. Jim Kale reformed the band, navigating various lineups and releasing albums like Guess Who’s Back (1978) and Now and Then (1981). Reunions in the 1980s and 1990s, including a 1983 tour with Bachman and Cummings, and later tours led by Kale and Peterson, demonstrated the enduring appeal of The Guess Who songs, even as new releases garnered minimal attention.
The Running Back Thru Canada Tour in 2000, featuring Bachman, Cummings, Peterson, McDougall, and Wallace, became one of the highest-grossing Canadian tours, resulting in a certified double platinum live album. This reunion underscored the lasting impact of their classic songs.
The Guess Who’s legacy extends beyond chart-topping hits. They forged a distinctly Canadian identity in rock music, blending rock, pop, psychedelia, and jazz, often with Canadian lyrical references. Songs like “Lightfoot,” “Maple Fudge,” “So Long, Bannatyne,” and “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon” celebrated their Canadian heritage. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognized The Guess Who for making it “okay to be Canadian” and influencing countless Canadian artists.
Their impressive record sales – 11 gold and five platinum albums in Canada, and five gold and three platinum in the US – speak to their broad appeal. “American Woman” and “These Eyes” consistently rank among the greatest Canadian songs of all time. The Guess Who’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with numerous awards, further solidify their legendary status. The Guess Who songs remain a vital part of the classic rock landscape, enjoyed by generations of music lovers.
