FORGOTTEN HITS: THE GUESS WHO: Takin' It Back

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

THE GUESS WHO: Takin' It Back

The long-awaited Guess Who reunion tour, starring Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, rolled into Chicago last Tuesday Night (June 30th) at The Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island.

This was our first time visiting this venue (and it will likely remain our last) ... the hassle of getting to, from and around this area ... not to mention the additional expense of doing so ... just doesn't make the overall experience worth it. The theater itself is quite large and offered excellent sound ... but I guess we'll just have to find someplace else to buy our $8 bottles of water in the future!

To complicate matters even further, Chicago has been going through a relentless heatwave. The heat index at showtime was 105 degrees ... but I do have to admit that being in such proximity to the lake did provide a nice, cool breeze throughout the entire concert.

All of this being said, the show itself was totally rewarding.

Opening act Don Felder, who has assembled a fine group of quality players in his band (with acts like REO Speedwagon, Elton John and Carrie Underwood on their resumes), played a strong set of Eagles covers that included rockers like "Already Gone," "One Of These Nights," "Life In The Fast Lane" and "Hotel California" as well as his solo hit "Heavy Metal" and a track from his new album, "Hollywood Victim."

Don is also offering an enticing raffle to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital ... a $50 donation buys you a chance to win a pretty amazing grand prize ...

https://www.donfelder.com/contests

Meanwhile, The Guess Who were in FINE form Tuesday night. Burton's voice was strong for the majority of the show (although he deliberately played it safe on some of the high notes along the way) and Randy took center stage (although still seated in a chair for the duration of the show) for three Bachman-Turner Overdrive classics, "Let It Ride" (excellent and one of the best performances of the night), "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and "Takin' Care Of Business," which was the final song of the band's encore.

Burton Cummings once again shared his affection for the City of Chicago ... The Guess Who recorded the majority of its hits right here in Chi-Town at the old RCA Studios on Wacker Drive. He then went on to play a number of Guess Who tracks that were recorded long after Randy left the band ("Runnin' Back To Saskatoon," which was the show opener, "Hand Me Down World," "Albert Flasher," "Clap For The Wolfman," "Guns Guns Guns," "Star Baby," "Bus Rider," "Share The Land," also performed as part of the encore, and his solo hit "My Own Way To Rock.") I loved Burton's introduction to "Star Baby" ... "Now 'Star Baby' may not be one of your favorites ... but it only lasts for two minutes and 45 seconds ... and then we'll be on to something else."

The Guess Who hit list featuring songs written collectively by Bachman and Cummings was also quite impressive: "Proper Stranger" (both a B-Side and an album cut), "These Eyes" (the one that kicked off the Bachman-Cummings era), "Laughing," "American Woman," "No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature," "No Time" and Randy's "Undun," sung by Cummings, who also performed the flute solo.

All-in-all, a very enthusiastic and energetic show. (In fact, might I suggest that the ENTIRE nominating committee for The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame attend one of these concerts together and then explain to us how this group has been denied induction for their past 36 eligible years.)

The duo seem to be getting along fine and are proudly showcasing The Guess Who name again after winning it back in a long, drawn out court case. They've still got eighteen shows to go, including an appearance tonight at Bank NH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire, right on thru the final show scheduled for August 25th in Victoria, Canada.

Frannie was able to take a couple of decent pics from our Row Q seats, which are splattered throughout today's review. (kk)