Over the last few years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman have been dealing with lawyers, publishing companies and just about every other legal nightmare two legendary musicians should never have to deal with. It was due to their bands name, The Guess Who, and who could tour under the moniker. After reclaiming the name and gaining rights to tour, The Guess Who – featuring Cummings and Bachman – have been enjoying the ride of their current “Takin’ It Back” tour which stopped by the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey on July 5.
As part of this tour, Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles, has been opening the shows with a set chalk-full of Eagles classics like the opening number, “Already Gone.” Continuing the onslaught of Eagles material, Felder followed with a spot on “One of These Nights,” and one of the most famous songs he helped write, “Victim of Love.” While Felder – complete in his all white outfit and assortment of Les Paul guitars – is the focus of the set, his three band mates did a superb job on delivering music that was written for six people.
“Seven Bridges Road,” a harmony- heavy song made famous by The Eagles led into two of his solo numbers, “Hollywood Victim,” and the 80’s rocker “Heavy Metal (Takin’ A Ride).” It is different hearing Felder sing (he only had one lead vocal for The Eagles) so it takes a bit getting used to, but musically he and his band could arguably show up his former band mates on any given night. Felder brought his lively 40 minute set to a close with the two-shot of “Heartache Tonight,” and “Hotel California,” complete with a double neck guitar like the one he used to write the famous intro on.
Due to impending storms, there was a very brief changeover time before the current version of The Guess Who took to the stage with principle songwriters Bachman and Cummings embracing center stage before launching in to a fun version of “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon.” The bluesy psychedelic feel of “Proper Stranger,” lead into the first hit of the evening, the driving “Hand Me Down World.” At 78 years old, Cummings’ voice isn’t as loud and snarky as it once was, but with these older classic rockers still on the road, the shows are more of a celebration of their history rather than trying to go out and sound like they did in their heyday.
Throughout the show, Cummings told stories about the band’s gold records, recording songs that would later become smash hits, and his lifelong friendship with Bachman. Having been performing the same music for decades, Cummings sentiments are a bit rehearsed as he’s been saying the exact same things for countless solo tours. Speaking of Cummings’ solo tours, an interesting tidbit about the current lineup of The Guess Who is the musicians in Cummings’ solo band are also the musicians in The Guess Who, with Bachman added in. It’s probably as close as we’ll ever get to any other former Guess Who members joining the lineup. Their breakup and decades of fighting over legal rights to the name are legendary in the realm of rock and roll.
After telling the story of Bachman coming over to the house Cummings was living in with his mother and grandmother to write a song which would change their lives, Cummings broke into the instantly recognizable opening of their massive hit, “These Eyes.” Along with the cannon of hits from The guess Who catalogue, this tour is also showcasing some numbers from Bachman’s other band, “Bachman-Turner Overdrive, including “Let It Ride.” At 82 years old, Bachman now utilizes a stool to sit on while performing, but he is still able to sound flawless playing his guitar riffs – some of which are some of the most influential in classic rock. Surprisingly, his voice has barely diminished over the years and he was loud and proud on his more famous songs.
“Clap for the Wolfman,” meshed into two of the band’s earliest hits, “Laughing,” and “Undun.” Again, both songs found Cummings reminiscing about gold records and pointing out that both songs were on the same single release and both went gold, a rare feat. Following a rousing “Star Baby,” it was time for Bachman to playfully stutter while singing one of BTO’s biggest songs, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.” The band doesn’t have to do BTO material, but with Bachman up on stage it’s almost impossible to not sprinkle in the songs that everyone who has ever listened to a classic rock station anywhere in the world knows by heart.
Ending the set proper, the band went big in the form of the classic rock anthems “American Woman,” “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature,” and “No Time.” When you’re watching these songs being played on stage in front of you, you begin to remember just how big The Guess Who were in their heyday and how many songs of theirs became engraved in rock history. Coming back for the encore, Cummings talked about writing a song that was meant for the hippie generation, but still finds a way to be relevant in 2026, “Share the Land.” It’s been a set ending staple for Cummings for years and serves as a fond reminder of what life was like all those decades ago. Rather than ending the night, Bachman got everyone in the crowd out of their seats with the iconic intro to the BTO classic “Takin’ Care of Business.” Plain and simple, it’s one of the most badass riffs in rock history and everyone who has ever played guitar feels cool when they learn how to play it.
Although this tour by The Guess Who may be their last, it is an appropriate way to remind people just how big the band was in the 60s and 70s. You couldn’t go anywhere without hearing The Guess Who. The fact that the two key members are back on the road together, playing amphitheaters and other mid level venues is proof that even though people from that generation are dying off, the music of The Guess Who is here to stay.
From the video channel of Allan C Records
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