Burton Cummings reclaimed legacy of The Guess Who on opening night of 2025 tour in Chandler

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Burton Cummings

I’d like to ask everyone a question if I may. Not to worry, it’s a simple one.

When is a band not a band?

Well, if you happened to ask that question to Burton Cummings on Saturday January 11 before his sold-out show at the Showroom at Chandler’s Wild Horse Pass Casino, perhaps his answer would’ve been…

“The fake Guess Who!”

Mind you, I’m not sure if Cummings would’ve said that to a fan of The Guess Who offstage.  However, he certainly had no qualms with saying it to the 1500 fans in attendance Saturday night onstage.

By the way, that little rant occurred immediately after the opening song of the night, Bus Rider (from The Guess Who’s 1970 album Share The Land).

Cummings appeared to be in good spirits during the paltry 95-minute, 16 song set and certainly happy to be in Arizona to kick off his 2025 60th Anniversary Hits Tour.

“It’s great to be back on tour in America”, Cummings said happily.  He continued. “I’ve had to sort out some issues throughout the year (2024) to finally put a stop to the fake Guess Who that’s been out there for years.”

For those who might not know, Cummings and another founding member of The Guess Who, Randy Bachman, were awarded an out-of-court settlement in Sept. 2024 that reversed the trademark of The Guess Who band name to them— from original members Garry Peterson and Jim Kale.

In effect, with the settlement, Peterson and Kale’s version of The Guess Who has been placed in mothballs as of this writing.

Cummings said defiantly. “I want all of you to know that myself and Randy Bachman wrote or co-wrote The Guess Who’s biggest hits.  Those are my songs, and I’m humbled and honored to be playing them for you tonight.”

Needless to say, those words received thunderous applause (and received the first of three standing ovations) from the capacity crowd.

With that, the sextet then went into Clap For The Wolfman (from 1974’s Road Food), a salute to late broadcast personality Wolfman Jack.

Cummings’ exceptional band consists of longtime members Tim Bovaconti (guitar), Nick Sinopoli (percussion), Jeff Jones (bass), and  Sean Fitzsimons (drums), along with newest member Joe Augello on guitar, who joined the band last year.

Before the third song, Hand Me Down World, Cummings noted that “the lyrics of this song are more relevant today than they’ve probably ever been.”

Continuing the string of hits, the band then goes in to Laughing and Undun back-to-back.  Just like the 45 single was in the summer of 1969, as Cummings noted.

There is one thing that he remains proud of after six decades in music: the gold singles and albums that he earned as lead vocalist and primary songwriter with The Guess Who.

To that point, he didn’t let the boomer-heavy audience forget it either—and understandably so I guess— given the circumstances I mentioned earlier.

Regarding Cummings’ voice, I always thought it was reminiscent of John Fogerty— especially on a song like American Woman.

Today, I contend his singing is similar to Doobie Brothers lead vocalist Tom Johnston, specifically on the two solo songs he performed, Stand Tall (from 1976) and My Own Way To Rock (from 1977), respectively.

It should be said that Cummings released a new album back in November called A Few Good Moments.  The fact that he didn’t perform any material from it was indeed a missed opportunity for him and the band.

At the very least, he should’ve played the title track from it. I think it would’ve gone down very well live, despite the likely majority of the audience only attending to hear the classics.

Which, in my opinion, is a shame.  But I digress.

There were also two covers included in the set: J.J. Cale’s Trouble In The City and Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.

The main set concluded with American Woman, No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, and No Time.

By the way, yes, Cummings thanked Lenny Kravitz for reviving American Woman in 1999 with his stamp on the all-time classic.

Returning to the stage to perform one more song, Share The Land, Cummings thanked the audience for all the years of support that he “doesn’t take for granted at all.”

One final note. It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future with The Guess Who.  Now that Bachman and Cummings “own” the name again, will the world see a new incarnation of the band at some point?

Time will tell I suppose.  However, make no mistake.  Regardless of what happens, it would not be a credible “reunion” unless the definitive lineup of Bachman, Cummings, Kale, and Peterson reformed.  Rightly or wrongly, fairly or unfairly.

By now, you’re probably asking what my final verdict is of the show?  I’ll give it 3.5 out of five stars– it was a solid performance overall.

A big THANK YOU to Irma at Wild Horse Pass Casino box office for her kind hospitality and professionalism with providing me access to review the show.  Much appreciated.

1 COMMENT

  1. Kale and Peterson are not remotely needed for a Guess Who reunion. Burton and Randy ARE the Guess Who. And there’s little to no comparison to make between Burton and Fogerty’s voices. Burton is one of the great rock vocalists, and nobody has ever said that about Fogerty. Distinctive, yes; great, no.

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