Artist Profiles / Rock and Roll

Burton Cummings – The Solo Years

randydafoe14 Comments

My wife and I are big fans of Burton Cummings and though it’s been awhile, we have seem him several times. As I am sure you can all attest you gain a new perspective on artists when you see them live. With Burton his voice is so natural there is little to no difference from his records.

Burton released his first solo album in 1976, less than a year after The Guess Who disbanded. I know we say this more than we should perhaps but I truly believe he has been vastly unrated as singer/songwriter and musician. Starting with his first hit single in 1976 “Stand Tall” I will post a number of clips, obviously I don’t expect you to watch them all. What I will say is he does not disappoint. At age 76 he still tours across Canada and the US and has a loyal following, with good reason he still sounds great.

“Stand Tall”
“Your Back Yard”

“Undun” Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman reunite to sing an old The Guess Who song.

Burton in action working on a demo.

“Break it to Them Gently”

Burton with a very good Elvis.

Burton with an amazing Gordon Lightfoot as Rod Stewart imitation.

Live in a radio studio, many years after the release of the incredible song, “Glamour Boy” from The Guess Who days.

“I’m Scared” from a live concert in 1978. An amateur recording and the video has deteriorated but the audio is very good and this gives you an idea what you get at his shows. He truly is amazing.

Burton co-stared in the movie Melanie with Glynnis O’Connor in 1982, it’s an endearing story and well worth a watch if you cand find it. “You Saved My Soul” appeared in the end credits of the film.

Here is a link to a 1994 appearance on the Howard Stern show.

BurtonCummings.com

14 thoughts on “Burton Cummings – The Solo Years”

  1. I have caught here a few times in town. (once with the Guess Who reunion) and once with Bachman. I like him as he’s a straight shooter and stands up for what he believes in.

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  2. Great stuff, Randy. While I know some songs by the Guess Who, I wasn’t familiar at all with Burton Cummings’ solo work. I surely like what I’m hearing. But I have to say the show stopper to me is his impersonation of Gordon Lightfoot as Rod Stewart – just incredible!

    I’ve written down his Cummings’ name! 🙂

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  4. ‘Back Yard’ is one I hadn’t heard, another winner. ‘Break It To Them Gently’ is another one I knew but somehow slipped through the cracks of my mind. The Lightfoot/Rod mash-up works because of his vocal skills.He has a hell of a voice, and so distinctive.

    Randy, has ‘Break It To Them Gently’ become well covered by Country acts? It seems the perfect sort of song to be adapted by a touring Country act’s concert set list, as a tribute. It’s too good a song to be just tossed in as filler; (Sorry, know what I mean but I’m not articulating it very well. Ah well, I hope you get what I’m stumblingly trying to say!🙄)

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    • Burtons songs are, like his work in general are overlooked when it comes to covers. Many of his songs would fit nicely to fill out an album if I take your point, I agree. You’re spot on with Break it… covered by a few Canadian Country acts and that’s it. Oh and Springbok, South Africas equivalent of Top of the Pops I believe.

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      • Thanks and yep, we’re on point. It’s a shame about ‘Break It,’ it’s one that we deserve to hear more of. Maybe it’s not covered due to the quality of the original?

        I’ll check out the Springbok one.

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