By: Brooke Johnpier
The Guess Who was a Canadian rock band that was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1965. They had the peak of their career just a few years later and into the early ‘70s.
The Guess Who’s first album, Shakin’ All Over, wasn’t 100% under The Guess Who name. The album cover said “Guess Who” on it, but at the time the band was still more commonly known as “Chad Allan & The Expressions.” The album is regarded as a garage rock album, even though it contains their hit cover of the title track originally done by Johnny Kidd & the Pirates. The song landed number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, so clearly, it was a major hit.
Their second album, Hey Ho (What You Do to Me!), followed the footsteps of its predecessor with being under both names. The first album was released on January 16, 1965, and during that same year their second album was released as well. The second album is also regarded as garage rock. Although this album didn’t do nearly as well as their first, it still landed on the Billboard 200 charts at number 125.
The third album released by the band, It’s Time, was the first completely branded under the name of The Guess Who. During the last two albums, band members were coming and going like crazy, and this album was no exception. The lead singer, Chad Allan, would leave as soon as the album was released in June of 1966. This album was a big turning point for the band as it highlighted their garage rock style, but they were starting to expand beyond that. Sadly though, the United States didn’t like their expansion as much as their other stuff, as the album didn’t place on any of the Billboard charts.
The band’s fourth, and technically second, album, Wheatfield Soul, was a major deal for the band. Not only was it the first album that made them internationally famous, it was the first album they did that was considered to be psychedelic as well as a more “pop-like” style. They were primarily influenced by British bands. This one, released in 1969, was their best by far with placing number 45 on the Billboard 200 charts.
American Woman was another major album for the band, released in 1970, combining their newly found sound of psychedelics with hard rock. This was the band’s only album to reach the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart, landing at number nine. This album contains three of the band’s major hits with the title track, “No Time,” and “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature.”
Just a few months after the release of their most successful album, they came out with another one. Again, the lineup changed substantially, but that’s what you can expect with this band. Regardless of who’s in the band though, they managed to produce some great music, including their sixth album, Share the Land. This album was a bit different with their musical style by implementing rock, blues, and hard rock. This album also did really well critically, placing number 14 on the Billboard 200 charts. Not only is the cover of this album great, featuring the chief of the American Cherokees in a cabin as the cover photo, but three of the songs are exceptionally great as well: “Hand Me Down World,” the title track, and “Hang On to Your Life.”
For the sake of time and space, I will only be covering one more of their albums before I just talk about some of their stuff briefly. With that being said, The Guess Who’s eighth studio album, So Long, Bannatyne, was released in July of 1971. I picked this album because 1) it has a hit on it and 2) the cover is of a car! I love cars, and this album depicts a really good one with a late 50’s Chevrolet Bel Air. I’m not sure of the exact year, but I’m thinking it’s a ‘57. Anyway, this album has the hit “Rain Dance,” and placed number 52 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Two hit songs that weren’t on the albums listed above, but are songs you definitely should listen to are “Clap For The Wolfman,” and “Dancin Fool.”
The Guess Who was a great band that was very influential for other bands that came after it. They had a lot of good music, and combined a ton of different styles to create one that was uniquely theirs. If you haven’t listened to them yet, do so. You won’t regret it, I promise.
Want to share your thoughts? Have a band/artist you want to be featured? Email Brooke at johnpibl23@bonaventure.edu!
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