THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
1,367) The Guess Who — “Silver Bird”
One of the last songs recorded by the Guess Who (see #758, 1,140, 1,335) before Randy Bachman left, this “beautiful folk-rock ballad that has ‘hit’ written all over it” wasn’t released until ‘76. (Riron63, https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-guess-who/the-way-they-were/)
Beautiful is an understatement. “Most unrecognized record of Canadian rock royalty… Why the hell this song wasn’t released back in [70]. Such a music crime….”(Jimwoolley53, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yoqVb915uXI&pp=ygUZVGhlIGd1ZXNzIHdobyBzaWx2ZXIgYmlyZA%3D%3D) Indeed!
Joe Viglione explains that “[s]even titles recorded at RCA Studios in Chicago during the spring of 1970 . . . were abandoned when Randy Bachman and the Guess Who with Burton Cummings went their separate ways.” https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-way-they-were-mw0000462495
Why? The Museum of Canadian Music tells us that:
Bachman had converted to Mormonism when he married his first wife Lorayne Stevenson in 1966, and as the spoils of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle increased with The Guess Who’s higher profile, Bachman’s beliefs and lifestyle clashed with those of his band mates. He was also suffering from serious gall bladder attacks and was replaced on tour by guitarist Bobby Sabellico while he returned to see his doctor in Winnipeg. After playing a final show at the Fillmore East in New York on 16 May 1970, Bachman left the group. He later re-teamed with Chad Allan to form Brave Belt, which evolved into Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Pay to Play! The Off the Charts Spotify Playlist! + Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock Merchandise
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Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! / Off the Charts: 60s Rock Revelations😊 
Honestly this blows me away. I am a pretty big fan but even bigger fan of Burton Cummings voice. A real treat George. Thanks.
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