The Guess Who is a Canadian rock band, originating as the Guess Who? in 1966, and adopting the name The Guess Who in 1968. They were most successful from 1969 to 1975, under the leadership of singer/keyboardist Burton Cummings. During that period they released eleven studio albums, all of which reached the charts in Canada and the United States; their 1970 album American Woman reached no. 1 in Canada and no. 9 in the United States, and five other albums reached the top ten in Canada. They also achieved five number one singles in Canada and two in the United States.
During the 1969-1975 era prior to the band's breakup, Cummings and drummer Garry Peterson were the only consistent members; they were joined by five guitarists and two bassists during those years. Cummings ended the band in 1975 and embarked on a solo career. In the following decades, Cummings and original guitarist Randy Bachman led several one-time reunion shows or short commemorative tours with various former members.
In 1978, original bassist Jim Kale organized a separate version of the band without the consent of Bachman and Cummings. Kale's band featured a frequently changing cast of musicians, sometimes including Peterson, and these lineups frequently toured on the nostalgia circuit. In 2024, Bachman and Cummings announced that they had gained control of the band's name, and disallowed Peterson from continuing to tour under the name (Kale had by then retired). In June 2025, Bachman and Cummings announced they would perform as The Guess Who at several shows in 2026.https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guess-who-first-reunion-show-2026/
This list article does not include musicians who filled in temporarily for official members or members of the version of the band led by Kale and Peterson.
The Guess Who members (1962–1975)
ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsGarry Peterson1962–1975 all Classic Era releasesJim Kale1962–1972 all releases from Shakin' All Over (1965) to Live at the Paramount (1972)Randy Bachmanall releases from Shakin' All Over (1965) to American Woman (1970)Chad Allan1962–1966 Bob Ashley1962–1966Burton Cummingsall releases from It's Time (1966) to Power in the Music (1975)Bruce Decker 1966–1966 rhythm guitarnoneKurt Winter 1970–1974 lead and rhythm guitar · backing and occasional lead vocalsall releases from Share the Land (1970) to Road Food (1974)Greg Leskiw1970–1972Donnie McDougall 1972–1974Bill Wallace1972–1975Domenic Troiano 1974–1975
Timeline
Lineups
YearsMembersStudio and live releases1962 – January 1966
Chad Allan and the Reflections Chad Allan and the Expressions Guess Who?Chad Allan – vocals, rhythm guitar Bob Ashley – keyboards, backing vocals Randy Bachman – lead guitar, backing vocals Jim Kale – bass, vocals Garry Peterson – drumsShakin' All Over (1965) Hey Ho (What You Do to Me!) (1965)January 1966 – May 1966The Guess Who? Chad Allan – vocals, rhythm guitar Burton Cummings – keyboards, vocals Randy Bachman – lead guitar, backing vocals Jim Kale – bass, backing vocals Garry Peterson – drumsIt's Time (1966)May 1966 – August 1966Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Randy Bachman – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Decker – rhythm guitar Jim Kale – bass, backing vocals Garry Peterson – drumsAugust 1966 – May 1970
Classic line-upBurton Cummings – vocals, guitar, keyboards, flute, harmonica Randy Bachman – guitar, backing vocals Jim Kale – bass, backing vocals Garry Peterson – drums, backing vocalsA Wild Pair (1968) Wheatfield Soul (1969) Canned Wheat (1969) American Woman (1970)May 1970 – March 1972Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards, flute, harmonica Kurt Winter – lead guitar, vocals Greg Leskiw – rhythm guitar, vocals Jim Kale – bass, backing vocals Garry Peterson – drums, backing vocalsShare the Land (1970) So Long, Bannatyne (1971) Rockin' (1972)March 1972 – May 1972Burton Cummings – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, flute, harmonica Kurt Winter – lead guitar, backing vocals Donnie McDougall – rhythm guitar, vocals Jim Kale – bass, backing vocals Garry Peterson – drumsLive at the Paramount (1972)May 1972 – June 1974Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards, flute, harmonica Kurt Winter – lead guitar, backing vocals Donnie McDougall – rhythm guitar, vocals Bill Wallace – bass, vocals Garry Peterson – drumsArtificial Paradise (1973) #10 (1973) Road Food (1974)June 1974 – October 1975Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Domenic Troiano – guitar, backing vocals Bill Wallace – bass, backing vocals Garry Peterson – drumsFlavours (1974) Power in the Music (1975) Reunion lineups YearsMembersStudio releasesNovember 1979Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Randy Bachman – guitar Bill Wallace – bass Garry Peterson – drums1983Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Randy Bachman – guitar Jim Kale – bass Garry Peterson – drums19992000Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Randy Bachman – guitar Donnie McDougall – guitar Jim Kale – bass Garry Peterson – drumsMay 2000 – July 2003Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Randy Bachman – guitar Donnie McDougall – guitar Bill Wallace – bass Garry Peterson – drums2026Burton Cummings – vocals, keyboards Randy Bachman – guitar, vocals Backed By: Jeff Jones – bass, backing vocals Sean Fitzsimons – drums, backing vocals Nick Sinopoli – percussion, backing vocals Tim Bovaconti – guitar, backing vocals Joe Augello – guitar, backing vocals
References