Concert Passes Here
Canada’s first international rock superstars, The Guess Who, will play at the Legendary Buffalo Chip in on Sat. Aug. 8 during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
They began in 1962 in Winnipeg as Chad Allen & The Reflections. Chad Allen and the Reflections had become Chad Allen and the Expressions by the time they recorded a cover of “Shakin’ All Over” released by Quality Records in 1965. The song was a #1 single in Canada and reached #22 in America. Sturgis Rally bikers from around the world knew they were headed for greatness.
Their first Quality Records single and album, “Shakin’ All Over,” was released in a white jacket with only “Guess Who?” printed on it. The marketing ploy worked. After selling two million copies the band had its trademark name: The Guess Who.
Garage, psychedelic and freedom rock was spilling over the Canadian border from Minneapolis and the band traveled there to record at K-Bank Studios, where their first British Top 20 hit, “His Girl” was recorded. London’s King Records signed the band, but after just one album, they returned to their native Canada.
They recorded “A Wild Pair” for Coca-Cola and appeared on the TV show “Let’s Go.” Their Quality Records contract was sold to Nimbus 9, owned by the producer Jack Richardson.
Richardson believed strongly in The Guess Who and he personally to financed the album, “Wheatfield Soul.” “These Eyes,” reached #1 in Canada and earned the band a U.S. contract with RCA Records. “These Eyes” hit #3 in America in 1969. “Canned Wheat,” the second RCA album contained “Laughing,” “No Time” and “Undun” – all Billboard hits. Their stage performances were becoming as legendary as the Chip and the Sturgis Rally themselves.
“American Woman” was The Guess Who’s first U.S. #1 single. The song unseated The Beatles for three weeks running. That was followed by “American Woman” b-side “No Sugar Tonight – New Mother Nature” which also hit #1.
Double sided singles both going to #1 had only been accomplished by The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis and the Rolling Stones.
Classic Rock radio has broadened The Guess Who’s popularity and increased its loyal fan base. It’s not uncommon to see people from their teens to their 60s in a typical concert audience. At the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis during bike week, they’ll all be bikers.
Concert Passes Here