Rock to sounds of The Guess Who in Rock Hill Saturday

Sometimes, classic legendary bands and their songs are such magical entities with memories so dynamic that they take on new life – for example The Guess Who, live Saturday, at the Old Town Amphitheater in downtown Rock Hill.

To understand such an idea, travel back in time to circa 1969-’70, smack in the middle of the most legendary era in classic rock/popular music.

The Beatles are still together – technically. Elvis is alive, so is Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, even Duane Allman. Turn on the radio and hear hits from all those groovy faves plus Sly & The Family Stone, Tommy James & The Shondells, The Temptations, Simon & Garfunkel, Three Dog Night, Shocking Blue, Jackson 5, The Carpenters, Partridge Family, Smokey Robinson and a wealth of others.

These were heady times in the music industry. and right in the middle of all this musical uproar, Canadian band The Guess Who hits the charts with its album “American Woman” streaking to No. 9 in the United States, charting for over a year, and making The Guess Who Canada’s first international rock superstars.

Formed in ’62, under several different names, the band appeared on the U.S. charts with a cover of “Shakin’ All Over” in 1966 under the curious moniker Guess Who? (question mark included) as a ploy by their Canadian label to imply a possible British invasion link.

The name would stick, though without the question mark. The band charted three hit tunes in 1969 – “These Eyes,” “Laughing,” and “Undun.” While popular, these songs were on the softer, ballad side of rock, but the band’s next phase revealed a heavier edge with more attitude and momentum.

With “American Woman,” its sixth studio album (March 1970), The Guess Who landed in richer, riff-driven emotional territory inspired by British invasion sounds, and hard enough to offer an early view of emerging progressive rock. The album would be the band’s most successful, thanks not only to the monster title cut but also the combo hits “No Sugar Tonight” and “New Mother Nature” – both No. 1 singles – plus a more popular remake of “No Time.”

Other hits would follow in later years, but somehow those songs from ’69 and ’70 are, for most fans, the definitive Guess Who sound.

Through the years and several different lineups, the music of The Guess Who has held up well, serving as true classic markers to the original generation of fans, then to be rediscovered by rock music fans for over half a century.

As the current lineup of The Guess Who is poised to perform in Rock Hill, it features two original members – drummer Garry Peterson (part of every single tour by the band); and bass guitarist Jim Kale; joined by Leonard Shaw, keys/flute/sax/vocals (part of the band for over 21 years); Derek Sharp, lead vocals/guitar since 2008, and Will Evankovich, lead guitar/vocals for three years.

Expect to hear a fun-filled concert lasting approximately 75-90 minutes, filled with the favorite hits, plus a few surprises, I’m told by band press liaison Jason Engstrom (of ESI Entertainment in Colorado) including a rave-up rendition of Little Richard’s classic “Lucille” done as sincere homage to one of the founding fathers of rock.

Focus on a sassy ’60s rock mindset and prepare for a timeless classic rock experience. “Go, gotta get away…” with The Guess Who, Saturday at the Old Town Amphitheater, 144 E. Black St., Rock Hill. Gates open at 6 p.m. For show time, ticket info and other concert details, check onlyinoldtown.com. Get more on the music at theguesswho.com and facebook.com/theguesswho.

Elsewhere

Friday: Michael Wolf at Original Empire Pizza, Rock Hill; Matt Tucker Band at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Remedy Hollow at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; David Williams at The Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba; Vanilla Cornbread at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie; Square Roots at Hobo’s, Fort Mill; Sean Carrouth at Olive’s, Fort Mill; Cal Burton Connection at Madison’s on the Corner, Tega Cay-Fort Mill; Shotgun Saints at McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon, Charlotte.

Saturday: Jody Edwards & Co., at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Matt Tucker at Silver Dollar, Rock Hill; Mike Faulkenberry & The Whiskey Prophets at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; Banana Puddin’ at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie; Brothers Keeper at Last Call, Clover; The Oneppo Brothers Band at Beef O’Brady’s, Baxter, Fort Mill; Legal Limit at Pineville Tavern, Pineville.

Sunday: Hyde Band at The Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba.

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Rock to sounds of The Guess Who in Rock Hill Saturday."