Burton Cummings

Burton Cummings (born December 31, 1947) is a Canadian musician and songwriter. A talented pianist and a confident showman, he was the lead singer for the Canadian rock band "The Guess Who", and during his 10 years in "The Guess Who" from 1965 to 1975, he sang many well known songs, including "American Woman", "No Time", "Share the Land", "Hand Me Down World", "Undun", and "These Eyes".

Related Topics:
December 31 - 1947 - Canadian - The Guess Who - 1965 - 1975 - American Woman

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Cummings was born and raised in the Canadian city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, as were all of the original members of "The Guess Who".

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His first band was a local Winnipeg R&B group "The Deverons", with an "E", not to be confused with the band "The Devrons" who had Country/R&B hits in the early 60's with songs "Brand X", "Battle Him", "Lost Love", "Too Little Too Late". He joined "The Guess Who" in 1965 after its previous lead singer, Allen Cobell, left the band.

Related Topics:
1965 - Allen Cobell

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In 1970, the band hit No. 1 in America with, ironically, "American Woman", a song not about a woman but about the United States' militaristic ways and societal problems.

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Ultimately, Burton's partying ways and Randy Bachman's more pious lifestyle caused a serious rift in the band. Randy went on to form the band Bachman Turner Overdrive and charted hits such as "Taking Care of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet".

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In 1975, after 10 years, Burton left "The Guess Who" to become a solo artist and The Guess Who carried on under management of bassist Jim Kale.

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Solo hits in Canada included "Stand Tall", "I'm Scared", "Break it to Them Gently", and "Fine State of Affairs". Cummings charted outside Canada with "Stand Tall" and "You Saved My Soul".

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Cummings ultimately made the move to Sherman Oaks California and began writing and singing for films in the late 1970's. He co-starred in the movie "Melanie".

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In 2000, Cummings, Bachman and original drummer Garry Peterson toured as"The Guess Who". Bassist Jim Kale played one show and former Guess Who sidemen Donnie McDougall and Bill Wallace re-joined the line-up through the remainder of the tour in Canada and later in the U.S.

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Cummings purchased Winnipeg's "Salisbury House" restaurant chain with manager Lorne Saifer and a few other local celebrities, and toured with the re-united "The Guess Who" from 2000 through the summer of 2004. In 2001, Burton and the rest of The Guess Who received honorary doctorates at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba. Cummings also received The Order of Manitoba Award. Most recently, the band played at the so-called "SARSstock" concert in Toronto. On November 23rd, 2004, Burton Cummings' new single "With God On Our Side" debuted at 21st spot on a Canadian music internet music chart. "With God On Our Side" is a cover of the famous Bob Dylan song. Cummings continues to work on releasing a new album, plays occasional shows with Randy Bachman as The Bachman-Cummings Band, featuring The Carpet Frogs, a band from Toronto and makes occassional appearances at various Canadian casinos as a solo performer.

Related Topics:
Lorne Saifer - The Guess Who - Brandon University - Brandon, Manitoba - SARSstock - Toronto - With God On Our Side - Bob Dylan - Randy Bachman - The Bachman-Cummings Band - The Carpet Frogs - Toronto

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