Photos by Andy Argyrakis

A version of The Guess Who has more or less remained on the road since the 1960s, but outside of the occasional reunion, co-founding singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Burton Cummings and fellow writer/guitarist/vocalist Randy Bachman haven’t retained control of the band since 2003.

But after settling behind the scenes affairs with original bassist Jim Kale and drummer Garry Peterson, the primary pair is “Takin’ It Back” to pretty large places like Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island. 

Chicago is certainly a significant city for The Guess Who, since after all, many of the Canadian Music Hall of Famers’ most famous albums were recorded here, so it was only fitting the principal pair and their backers played a couple hours’ worth of focal points.

“Runnin’ Back To Saskatoon,” “Proper Stranger” and Hand Me Down World” were the assertive psychedelic rockers that came before Cummings gently crooned the ballad “These Eyes,” each bolstered by a five-piece backing band. 

Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Let It Ride” also made for one of a handful post-Guess Who surprises as its namesake sturdily leaned up to the microphone, prior to passing it back to his creative partner come “Clap For The Wolfman,” “Laughing” and “Star Baby,” amongst others.

Subsequently, Bachman revisited his famed stutter for “ You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and Cummings proudly proclaimed “My Own Way To Rock,” in addition to their collective bounce of “Bus Rider.”

The absolutely ageless “American Woman” was introduced by a bit of the blues, “No Sugar Tonight” rolled right into “New Mother Nature” and “No Time” meant the historic evening was almost over.

Thankfully, The Guess Who returned for a couple more classics, the peace-promoting “Share The Land” and BTO’s “Takin’ Care Of Business” as Bachman and Cummings definitely did exactly as the anthem suggested nearly an entire lifetime later. 

On any other night, guitar great Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles, would’ve easily topped the bill, but instead started out by giving everyone a multitude of classic rock and country-tinged chart-toppers, backed by an all-star band of Elton John, REO Speedwagon and Carrie Underwood collaborators. 

“Already Gone,” “One Of These Nights,” the newly discovered solo “Hollywood Victim,” “Heartache Tonight” and “Life In The Fast Lane” were a few of the spirited stops on the way to “Hotel California” and another fine example of a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer remaining at the top of their game. 

For additional information on The Guess Who and Don Felder, visit TheGuessWho.com and DonFelder.com.

Upcoming shows at Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island include Bob Dylan (Jul. 8); Jack Johnson (Jul 11); 311 and Dirty Heads (Jul. 12); Lil Wayne (Jul. 17); Sarah McLachlan (Jul. 18); Yeat (Jul. 19); Young The Giant (Aug. 7); Kehlani (Aug. 8); Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin and  Andrew McMahon (Aug. 14); Outlaw Festival featuring Willie Nelson (Aug. 25); The Fray (Aug. 29); Babymetal (Sept. 4); O.A.R. (Sept. 6); TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue (Sept 8); Dermot Kennedy (Sept. 11); Logic and G-Eazy (Sept. 22); Sofi Tukker (Sept. 25); Foster The People (Sept. 26) and Mt. Joy (Oct. 3). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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