Randy Bachman - The Guess Who

The Guess Who

In 1960, Bachman and Chad Allan co-founded Al and The Silvertones in Winnipeg. By 1962, the band changed their name to Chad Allan and the Expressions and later to The Guess Who. In 1965, the Guess Who had a #1 hit in Canada with their cover of Johnny Kidd's "Shakin' All Over", which also charted in the U.S. at #22. In 1966, Chad Allan left the band and Burton Cummings became the primary vocalist. Starting in 1968, the group released three successful albums: Wheatfield Soul (1968), Canned Wheat (1969), and American Woman (1970), which brought them mainstream attention. Bachman wrote or cowrote (primarily with Cummings) most of the group's songs during this period.

In early 1970, the single "American Woman" hit #1 on the U.S. charts, a first for a band from Canada. A group composition, the song critiques the "ghetto scenes" and "war machines" of the U.S., reflecting the Guess Who's experiences of extensive touring in large American cities. With the Vietnam War at its peak, many American males went to Canada to escape US Military service. Surprisingly, Bachman left the band at the height of its popularity, shortly after the release of American Woman. He has been quoted for leaving due to the other band members' lifestyle choices conflicting with his (at that time) Mormon beliefs and because he wanted to spend more time with his brothers and other family members. He also was suffering health problems from the constant touring and needed to be under a doctor's care, something that was impossible to do on the road.