Iconic Canadian rock band The Guess Who, featuring original members Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, are embarking on their first extensive U.S. tour in nearly a quarter-century. The "Taking It Back" tour will span from late June to late August, bringing their classic hits to fans across the United States.
Key Takeaways
- The Guess Who, with Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, will tour the U.S. for the first time in 24 years.
- The tour, named "Taking It Back," starts June 25 in Minnesota and ends August 22 in Seattle.
- Don Felder, former Eagles guitarist, will open for the band.
- The reunion follows a legal battle over the band's name, resolved in 2024.
- Setlists will include Guess Who classics and Bachman-Turner Overdrive hits.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Stage
The reunion marks a significant moment for fans who have waited decades to see Cummings and Bachman perform together as The Guess Who. Their last joint performance under the band's name was at SARSfest in 2003. This new tour signifies a full return for the core duo.
The U.S. leg of the tour begins on June 25 in Shakopee, Minnesota, and concludes on August 22 in Seattle. Before and after these dates, the band will also play shows in their native Canada.
Tour Details at a Glance
- Start Date (U.S.): June 25, Shakopee, MN
- End Date (U.S.): August 22, Seattle, WA
- Opening Act: Don Felder (formerly of Eagles)
- Number of U.S. Dates: Over 15 cities
Randy Bachman expressed his gratitude for the band's enduring legacy.
"Randy and I are incredibly grateful that our music has endured all these years," Bachman stated. "Knowing that people still want to hear these songs live means everything to us, and when we go out on stage, our goal is to truly honour the music."
Burton Cummings echoed this sentiment, highlighting the excitement of performing their shared body of work.
Reclaiming Their Legacy: The Legal Battle
This reunion tour comes after a protracted legal dispute over the band's name. For years, a different lineup, put together by former Guess Who bassist Jim Kale, performed under the name. This situation led to confusion and frustration among the original members.
The legal battle was finally resolved in 2024, allowing Cummings and Bachman to reclaim the rights to The Guess Who name. Cummings previously shared details about the impact of the "fake band."
"The fake band was using music that we wrote, and Burton sang on, to promote their shows," Cummings explained. "And some of these guys weren’t even born when those things were hits. These clowns, they were actually taking our real albums to meet and greets and signing our pictures. I was in Philadelphia one time and I opened a Live at the Paramount album. I was going to sign it for this kid. And I opened the album and someone else had already signed my picture."
The Guess Who's History
Formed in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1965, The Guess Who rose to international fame with a string of hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their unique blend of rock, pop, and psychedelic influences made them one of the most successful Canadian bands of their era. Key members Burton Cummings (vocals, keyboards) and Randy Bachman (guitar) were central to their classic sound.
What to Expect on Tour
The current lineup for The Guess Who includes Sean Fitzsimons on drums, Jeff Jones on bass, Nick Sinopoli on percussion, and Tim Bovaconti and Joe Augello on guitars, alongside Cummings and Bachman. This ensemble played their first show on January 31 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Concertgoers can anticipate a setlist rich with The Guess Who's most beloved songs. Hits like "American Woman," "These Eyes," "Undun," and "No Time" are expected to be central to the performances. Additionally, fans will hear classics from Bachman-Turner Overdrive, another successful project by Randy Bachman, including "Let It Ride," "You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet," and "Takin’ Care of Business."
Potential for New Music?
While the focus remains on touring, the possibility of new music is not entirely off the table. The last Guess Who album was 1975's Power in the Music, and Bachman's last appearance on a Guess Who album was 1970's American Woman.
Cummings hinted at the creative potential of extended time together on the road.
"Randy and I will be together for hours and hours on the tour bus," Cummings shared. "Sometimes he picks up a guitar, starts playing riffs, and I start singing over them. So we could capture some of that wonder of the old days. You never know. I never say never."
This suggests that while new recordings are not imminent, the creative spark between the two musicians remains, offering a glimmer of hope for future projects.
Full List of U.S. Tour Dates
Here are the confirmed U.S. dates for The Guess Who's "Taking It Back" tour:
- June 25 – Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater
- June 27 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
- June 28 – Cuyahoga, OH @ Blossom Music Center
- June 30 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
- July 1 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Acrisure Amphitheater
- July 3 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
- July 5 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
- July 7 – Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
- July 8 – Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion
- July 10 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
- July 11 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
- July 14 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Albany Med Health System at SPAC
- July 16 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
- July 17 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion
- August 6 – Atlanta, GA @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- August 8 – Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
- August 9 – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena
- August 12 – Denver, CO @ Fiddlers Green Amphitheater
- August 14 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Maverik Center
- August 15 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fontainebleau Las Vegas
- August 17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
- August 19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
- August 22 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
Fans across the country have the opportunity to experience the legendary sound of The Guess Who live, celebrating a catalog of music that has resonated for decades.