Burton Cummings
| Burton Cummings | |
|---|---|
 Cummings in 2008 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Burton L. Cummings |
| Born | December 31, 1947 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, saxophone, drums, percussion, harp, flute |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Associated acts | The Guess Who, Bachman & Cummings, The Deverons, Tim Thorney, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band |
| Website | burtoncummings.com |
Burton L.[1] Cummings, OC,[2] OM (born December 31, 1947, in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian musician and songwriter.
He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock band The Guess Who. During his 10 years in The Guess Who, from 1965 to 1975, he sang and wrote or co-wrote many songs including "American Woman," "No Time," "Share the Land," "Hand Me Down World," "Undun," "Laughing," "Star Baby", "New Mother Nature," and "These Eyes." His solo career includes many Canadian singles including "Stand Tall", "My Own Way to Rock" and "You Saved My Soul."
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Biography [edit]
Cummings was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as were all of the other original members of The Guess Who, and attended St. John's High School.[3] His first band was a local Winnipeg R&B group, The Deverons, with an 'E' (not to be confused with the band The Devrons who had Country/R&B hits in the early 1960s). The Deverons with Cummings released two singles on the tiny REO Records label. The first single, "Blue Is The Night / She's Your Lover", was cut in a Winnipeg radio station. The second single, "Lost Love / Feel Alright", was recorded at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis, where The Guess Who frequently recorded. He joined The Guess Who in 1965 to replace keyboardist Bob Ashley and shortly thereafter its previous lead singer, Chad Allan, left the band.
Cummings also tried his hand at acting. He appeared alongside Paul Sorvino, Glynnis O'Connor and Don Johnson in the 1982 film Melanie.[4]
Success with The Guess Who [edit]
Between 1966 and 1969, The Guess Who were one of the hardest working-bands in Canada. Despite having released several strong singles, a hugely successful split LP ("A Wild Pair", which also featured Ottawa's The Stacattos), and a weekly stint as house band on CBC-TV's "Let's Go!", mainstream success eluded them.
In 1969 The Guess Who scored an international hit with "These Eyes", co-written by Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman. It was followed up by hit "Laughing", again written by Cummings and Bachman. Another Guess Who song, "Undun", featured Cummings on a jazzy flute solo. In 1970, the band hit no. 1 in Canada with "American Woman."
Ultimately, conflict between Cummings and bandmate Randy Bachman—partially ignited by Bachman's then-deepening Mormon religious beliefs—caused a rift in the band.[5] Bachman left and went on to form the band Brave Belt with former Guess Who mate Chad Allan, and later Bachman–Turner Overdrive.
Cummings became the band's leader and recorded songs that included "Share the Land," "Hand Me Down World," "Albert Flasher," "Rain Dance," "Sour Suite," "Glamour Boy," "Star Baby," "Clap for the Wolfman," and "Dancin' Fool."
Going solo [edit]
In 1975 Cummings left The Guess Who after 10 years to become a solo artist, and the group disbanded. One of his first projects included providing back-up vocals on Eric Carmen's second solo LP, Boats Against the Current, including "She Did It."
Cummings' subsequent solo hits in Canada included "Stand Tall," which was his greatest American solo hit, peaking at #10 on the Hot 100 and number two on the Adult Contemporary chart .[6] Other hits included: "I'm Scared," "Break it to Them Gently," and "Fine State of Affairs." Cummings charted outside Canada with "Stand Tall" and "You Saved My Soul." His Dream of a Child album released in 1978 was the biggest[clarification needed] Canadian album in history at that time. Cummings released a total of eight solo albums and collections from 1976 to 1990. In 1997 he released a live compilation album of his solo performances entitled Up Close and Alone.
Cummings became a resident of Sherman Oaks, California, and began writing and singing for films in the late 1970s. He currently winters in California and returns to Winnipeg in the summer, living in Canada throughout autumn.[clarification needed] Besides his music, Cummings purchased part of Winnipeg's "Salisbury House" restaurant chain with manager Lorne Saifer, and is an avid comic book collector.
For several years Cummings has been active on My Space, blogging and posting music and photos. As of June 25, 2010, he unveiled a new website where he will continue his blog – http://www.burtoncummings.net
The Guess Who returns [edit]
In 2000 Cummings, Bachman, and original drummer Garry Peterson toured as The Guess Who. Bassist Jim Kale played one show and former Guess Who sidemen Donnie McDougall and Bill Wallace re-joined the line-up through the remainder of the tour in Canada and later in the U.S. The reformed The Guess Who toured with Cummings from 2000 through to the summer of 2003. In 2001 Cummings and the rest of The Guess Who received honorary doctorates at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba. Cummings was also made a member of the Order of Manitoba. In 2003, the band played at the so-called "SARSstock" concert in Toronto.
Bachman-Cummings [edit]
Cummings plays occasional shows with Randy Bachman as The Bachman-Cummings Band, featuring The Carpet Frogs, a band from Toronto and makes occasional appearances at various Canadian casinos as a solo performer. The Bachman-Cummings Band have released a compilation album titled the Bachman-Cummings Song Book featuring songs from The Guess Who, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Cummings' solo career. They have also released an album titled The Thunderbird Trax, which is an album that Cummings and Bachman recorded in Bachman's toolshed in British Columbia in 1987. Previously unreleased until 2006, it was made available exclusively at Bachman-Cummings concerts, and is now available on the Bachman-Cummings website.
The Bachman-Cummings First Time Around CBC TV Special was released on DVD in November 2006 on the Sony BMG label. In June 2007, Bachman and Cummings released an album titled Jukebox that covered various songs from the 1960s that influenced them. A follow-up album to Jukebox as well as a television special have also been discussed.[7]
They last played together in 2009 at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario. Bachman has since rejoined with CF Turner and Cummings has toured on his own with the Carpet Frogs.
Above the Ground [edit]
Outside of his work with Bachman, in November 2004 Cummings released a single "With God on Our Side", a cover of the famous Bob Dylan song. The single debuted at the 21st spot on the Canadian music internet music chart.[which?]
On November 4, 2008, Cummings released his first solo album of new studio material in 18 years titled Above the Ground. The album has 19 tracks of original songs written by Cummings, some of which were written by him many years ago. The album was recorded with his touring band The Carpet Frogs. The release also includes a DVD with a behind the scenes look at the recording process. The first single from the album was "We Just Came from the U.S.A." Originally a Canadian-only release, Above the Ground is now available at Burton Cummings' website and on iTunes.
The Burton Cummings Theatre, located in downtown Winnipeg, is named after Cummings.
Order of Canada [edit]
On December 30, 2009, Cummings was named an officer of the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaëlle Jean. The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours, and was established in 1967 to mark a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation.[8]
Book of poetry [edit]
On the November 23, 2010, morning show episode of Canada AM, Cummings announced that he will be releasing a book of poetry. He mentioned that he had been working on it for the past three years, and that it would be available in 2011. The collection of poems will be titled The Writings of B. L. Cummings. He stated that works by Kipling, Keats and Edgar Allan Poe were great inspirations to him during his writing process, saying, "I like to be influenced by the best."
On June 28, 2011, it was announced that Cummings will receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame and will be inducted on October 1 at Elgin Theatre in Toronto. He previously received a star as part of The Guess Who in 2001.[9]
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
| Year | Album | Chart positions | CRIA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | US | |||
| 1976 | Burton Cummings | 5 | 30 | 2× Platinum |
| 1977 | My Own Way to Rock | 4 | 51 | 2× Platinum |
| 1978 | Dream of a Child | 11 | 203 | 3× Platinum |
| 1980 | Woman Love | 4 | — | Platinum |
| The Best of Burton Cummings | — | — | 2× Platinum | |
| 1981 | Sweet Sweet | 36 | — | Gold |
| 1984 | Heart | 89 | — | — |
| 1990 | Plus Signs | 43 | — | Gold |
| 1994 | The Burton Cummings Collection | — | — | — |
| 1996 | Up Close and Alone | 29 | — | Platinum |
| 2008 | Above the Ground | 16 | — | — |
Singles [edit]
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN AC | CAN | CAN Country | US | US Country | |||
| 1976 | "Stand Tall" | 1 | 4 | — | 10 | — | Burton Cummings |
| 1977 | "I'm Scared" | 6 | 43 | — | 61 | — | |
| "Timeless Love" | 13 | 44 | — | — | — | My Own Way to Rock | |
| "My Own Way to Rock" | — | 38 | — | 74 | — | ||
| "Your Backyard" | — | 63 | — | — | — | ||
| 1978 | "Break It to Them Gently" | 1 | 9 | — | 85 | — | Dream of a Child |
| 1979 | "I Will Play a Rhapsody" | 3 | 20 | — | — | — | |
| "Takes a Fool to Love a Fool" | — | — | 19 | — | 33 | ||
| "Meanin' So Much" | 14 | 75 | — | — | — | ||
| "Draggin' 'Em Down the Line" | 33 | 85 | — | — | — | single only | |
| 1980 | "Fine State of Affairs" | 30 | 10 | — | — | — | Woman Love |
| "One and Only" | 48 | 78 | — | — | — | ||
| 1981 | "You Saved My Soul" | 12 | 31 | — | 37 | — | Sweet Sweet |
| 1982 | "Mother Keep Your Daughters In" | 24 | — | — | — | — | |
| "Something Old, Something New" | 26 | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984 | "Love Dream" | 23 | — | — | — | — | Heart |
| 1985 | "Whatever Happened to Your Eyes" | 27 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1990 | "Take One Away" | 6 | 16 | — | — | — | Plus Signs |
| "One Day Soon" | 27 | 60 | — | — | — | ||
| "The Rock's Steady" | — | 97 | — | — | — | ||
| "Free" | 9 | 72 | — | — | — | ||
| 2004 | "With God on Our Side" | — | 29 | — | — | — | single only |
| 2008 | "We Just Came from the U.S.A." | — | — | — | — | — | Above the Ground |
| "Dream" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
Collaborations with Randy Bachman [edit]
- 2006 Bachman-Cummings Songbook – Compilation that features tracks from The Guess Who, Burton Cummings and Bachman–Turner Overdrive
- 2006 The Thunderbird Trax – A compilation of previously unreleased material recorded by Bachman and Cummings circa 1987
- 2007 Jukebox – Bachman & Cummings album that features covers of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, The Shadows and The Beatles
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ December 16, 2010 episode of 'George Strombolopous Tonight', CBC Television
- ^ "Governor General Announces 57 New Appointments to the Order of Canada". Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. December 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
- ^ "Burton Cummings gets high school diploma – Rock icon honoured by his former Winnipeg school". CBC News. CBC. June 28, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ Melanie.IMDB. Retrieved 9/17/10
- ^ Bachman bio at CBC.ca
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 68.
- ^ Sterdan, Darryl (2007-06-07). "Cummings & Bachman cover faves". Canoe.ca. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Order of Canada adds 57 names". CBC News. 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- ^ "Press Release: Canada's Walk of Fame Announces the 2011 Inductees". Canada's Walk of Fame. 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
External links [edit]
- Burton Cummings' Official website
- Official website for the Bachman-Cummings Band
- Bio at CanadianBands.com CanConRox entry
- Bruce Robb (producer)
| Preceded by Chad Allan |
Lead singer in The Guess Who | Succeeded by Terry Hatty |
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- 1947 births
- Living people
- Officers of the Order of Canada
- Members of the Order of Manitoba
- Musicians from Winnipeg
- Canadian male singers
- Canadian rock keyboardists
- Canadian rock pianists
- Canadian rock guitarists
- Canadian rock singers
- Juno Award winners
- Genie Award winners for Best Achievement in Music - Original Song
- The Guess Who members
