Dale Russell, Carl Dixon, "Spider" Sinneave
The Guess Who of the 90's (Jim Kale's) neared the end of their existence at an outdoor concert near Tampa, Florida on March 18. They shared the bill with a number of other bands from their era:
THE GUESS WHO. The ANIMALS II, THE RASCALS, THE BOX TOPS , IRON BUTTERFLY , JOHN KAY & STEPPENWOLF, MITCH RYDER & DETROIT WHEELS, LOVIN' SPOONFUL, THE DOVELL'S, and BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS.
The view at Coachman's Park was a great look at the west coast, and as the brilliant sunset slowly faded, it was their turn to put in about an hour of hits from the past. As I wandered around the grounds, getting different angles and distances for pictures, I was privy to many comments from the audience at large. Some were amusing, such as "Man, that Burton Cummings is still the best damned singer !" , and some were heartwarming as the "Ahh"'s and "Oh, this was a good one" as songs such as "Undun" began.
The show seemed to be over very quickly, as the acts were on a pretty tight schedule; only the core hits were played, AW, No Time, Undun, These Eyes, Hand Me Down World, No Sugar Tonite. Didn't have time for Garry to get out the congas for Follow Your Daughter; and they played No Time in the middle of the set instead of as their usual closer.
The sound was variable, even when you stayed in one spot; sometimes loud, sometimes bassy, sometime thin and tinny; the lighting was limited to the frontmost performers. Leo Shaw and Garry Peterson were in the dark for the most part. Still, there were nice surprises - Carl was in the best vocal form I've heard from him (he hit the high notes on These Eyes like a certain singer from the past) - and Dale put a few new but melodically faithful spins on solos.
Dale and Carl
Personnel changes in the Guess Who have been the rule, not the exception, and now it has come full circle again, with the original members back for another tour. Here's to those that have carried on the torch for so many years, and to those who may yet carry it forward.