The Guess Who Live in Edmonton June 10th 2026

  Thanks to my Sweetie Janis, she and I went to see Canadian legends The Guess Who at Rogers Place. Janis won tickets from local radio station 95.7 CRUZ FM, and I was the lucky one that got to  go with her. I would have bought tickets for this show as I have always wanted to see The Guess Who live. Added bonus for this show was Don Felder a former member of The Eagles opening.

 We got to our seats in plenty of time before Don Felder but much to our surprise, Don started his set at 7:24, tickets said 7:30 start, good thing we got seated early. I can't recall the last time I saw a band or musician start their set early especially at a coliseum show. His first song of the night was one I wasn't familiar with, but after the first song he stopped as they were having technical issues. Not sure what it was as it sounded good to me but nonetheless, it took them a while to get the issue sorted out. Don went on to tell a few stories about some of the songs he wrote or co-wrote with The Eagles. After what felt like forever, he finally got back to playing. The next couple of songs were definitely familiar as he played a couple of Eagles songs, them being "One Of These Nights" and "Victim Of Love", they sounded pretty damn good and now the place was filling up, an older crowd for sure and people were singing along to these classic songs. Other Eagles songs played were "Heartache Tonight", "Life In The Fast Lane" a song I have always loved but man he butchered it, it did not sound good at all. He closed out his set with "Hotel California". I was really hoping to hear his song "Heavy Metal (Take A Ride)" from the Heavy Metal Soundtrack but it didn't get played. When he was doing all the talking after the first song when they had the technical issues he had told the story about doing this song for the movie, and mentioned he would play it. But because of the issues his set was shortened therefore it was never played which was too bad. All and all a decent set.

Don Felder.

 Headliner of the night was Canadian legends The Guess Who, not all original members as that has been an ongoing issue for many years, but it was the two main guys, Winnipeg natives Burton Cummings on vocals, guitar, keyboard, flute and Randy Bachman on guitar and vocals. The tour dubbed Takin' It Back after all the issues of getting the name back to the rightful owners, it had been 23 years since Randy and Burton have toured under the name The Guess Who. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had never seen the two of them perform together but I was looking forward to it. And you know what, it was damn good. Myself and the 10,000 or so other in attendance would probably agree. Everyone I talked to that was at the show said they thought it was great as well.

 The Guess Who started their set with "Runnin' Back To Saskatoon" and right away you could tell Randy and Burton still have it, Burton sounded great and Randy sitting on a stool for pretty much the whole show was sounding great on the guitar and vocals. The Guess Who have so many songs that are classic AM radio hits, you couldn't avoid hearing their songs back in the day. With the older crowd that it was, everyone knew the songs and words to these Canadian classics. It was one hit after another "These Eyes", "Hand Me Down World", "Albert Flasher" and the first Bachman Turner Overdrive song of the evening was "Let It Ride". Burton looked to be having a blast on stage, so energetic for a 78 year old man, he told some stories between songs, his voice is still very, how do you say this, almost boyish, he just has so much enthusiasm for what he does. And Randy Bachman can still rip it up on guitar and sounded great as well at 82 years old.

 Other songs played were "Undun", "Clap For The Wolfman" that song had everyone singing and clapping along, so much fun. "Guns Guns Guns" was also another one played and then another BTO song, this one being "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet". And there was no way that they were gonna get away without playing "American Woman" so of course that was played with them starting the song with a snippet of The Doors song "Roadhouse Blues" which kinda made sense as Burton was sporting a Doors t-shirt under his jean jacket. They followed up that song with "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature" after hearing them songs I was a happy man. Those two songs back to back brings back some fun memories of my teens and early 20's.

 Then it was the two song encore, ending the night with another BTO songs, an absolute classic "Takin' Care Of Business". A very fun night out. Good times!!!

The Guess Who.

T-shirt front.

T-shirt back.

March 1st

  

On March 1st, 1995 I saw Randy Bachman play the Thunderdome here in Edmonton.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Live in Edmonton March 12th 2019

Last Tuesday Buzzard, Janis and I attended the Lynyrd Skynyrd Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour at Rogers Place. I was hesitant about going to this show as there is only one original member left in the band, but I heard nothing but good things about their show the previous times they have come through town, and Janis bought me a ticket for my up-coming birthday, so I was going now.

Opening the show was Canadian legend Randy Bachman who has played in the Guess Who and BTO previously. This time around he is touring with his own solo band. This would be my third time seeing Randy play solo. And he didn't disappoint at all. Opening the show with the Bachman Turner Overdrive song "Roll On Down The Highway", then into another BTO song "Let It Ride". We were of to a great start, it was one classic Canadian AM/FM classic rock after another. Lots of Guess Who songs as well such as "No Sugar Tonight", "American Woman" and "Laughing". Joining Randy in his band was his son Tal Bachman who did his one big song "She's So High". Randy and his band closed their hour long set with the BTO classic "Takin' Care of Business". A great opening set that had the crowd singing along and warmed up good for the headliners.

Randy Bachman's setlist.

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Randy Bachman Band.

Now it was time for southern rockers from Jacksonville, Florida, Lynyrd Skynyrd. The only original member left in the band is co-founder guitarist Gary Rossington. On vocals was Johnny Van Zant who took over vocals in 1987 when the band reformed after the death of his brother Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines died in an airplane crash in 1977 just after the release of their album Street Survivors. Also joining the band and a long time member was Rickey Medlocke on guitar who played briefly in the band in the early 70's. He has been back in the band since the reformation in 1987.

The band opened with the song "Workin' for MCA" and after that it was classic southern rock for the hour and a half show. It was like listening to a best of album "What's Your Name", "That Smell", "Saturday Night Special", "Simple Man" you get the idea, just great musicianship from the whole band. I thought Johnny Van Zant did a great job on vocals keeping the spirit of Johnny alive and well. I really liked the cover of J.J. Cale's "Call me The Breeze". Last song of the set before encore was "Sweet Home Alabama" which had the crowd on their feet as they were for most of the night. For the encore of course they did "Free Bird", but what was really cool is that they had on the big screen behind them archive footage of Ronnie Van Zant singing, with the band playing along, while his hat rested on the vacated mic stand. Along with that they had old photos of the band, paying respect to all those that have been in the band. A great night of badass southern rock. Way better then I was expecting. Good times!!!

Checkout the setlist.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington.

Fire Aid for Fort McMurray Concert June 29th 2016

On Wednesday night Janis and I went to the Fire Aid for Fort McMurray benefit concert held here in Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium. This show was put on as benefit with all proceeds from the concert going to help with the rebuilding of Fort McMurray after the devastating wild fire that ripped through the city in early May. On the bill were many of Canada's biggest bands all pulling together for a good cause. The show started at 2 in the afternoon with a stage set up outside the stadium for the tail gate party with many local bands performing, not sure how many bands played as it rained like a motherfucker most of the afternoon. I was starting to question whether I really wanted to go sit in the rain all night for this show that got started at 5pm in the stadium. But like typical Alberta weather, by 5 o'clock the clouds had parted and the sun came out and it ended up being a beautiful night for an outdoor concert.

But after not getting off work til 5, it wasn't til a little after 7 by the time we got to the show. So sadly we missed a few performers I would have liked to have seen, like Ian Tyson and Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea fame. We got there and were heading down to the general admission floor section just as Nova Scotia's The Rankin Family were wrapping things up. As we headed down the stairs you could hear the band playing there Celtic style music and seeing the people in the stands taking in the sun, bouncing beach balls around the crowd and people dancing in the aisles and singing, it looked like the audience was having a good time. This was looking like a crowd already having fun.

So by the time we got to the floor we were there in time to catch Dean Brody, who is some country musician who I don't care about, not a fan of that kind of country music at all, seemed like boring generic crap. Luckily his set was only twenty minutes long, as were all the bands sets except for the two headliners Blue Rodeo and Nickelback. They had two stages set up, so we ignored Dean Brody and got ourselves situated in front of the other stage for Randy Bachman and The Sadies, who I really wanted to see, that was a big reason I wanted to come out to the show was for this match up, as I am a huge Sadies fan.

By the time Randy Bachman of BTO and Guess Who fame backed by the awesome band The Sadies hit the stage Janis I were right in front of the stage, and the stadium was starting to fill up. My guess would be about 30,000 people in attendance. This was my second time seeing Randy Bachman in concert and twelfth time seeing The Sadies. With the set being only twenty minutes long the band rocked it out playing BTO songs "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet", "Let It Ride" and Guess Who songs "No Time", "American Woman" and closing out with another BTO classic "Takin' Care Of Business". An awesome short set and probably the most rocking of the evening.

Randy Bachman with The Sadies.

After shuffling our way over to the main stage it was time for Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans. This was my tenth time seeing Corb Lund live. Corb's set was rocking as well from start to finish playing all older tunes opening with "Hurtin Albertan" which segued into Stompin' Tom's "The Hockey Song" then a great oil workers song "Roughest Neck Around" which was a great choice in song considering Fort McMurray is the hub of Canada's oil production industry. Next was another great old song called "Five Dollar Bill" and closing out with "Rye Whiskey/Time To Switch To Whiskey" that song really had the crowd singing along. A great set by Corb Lund and his band.

Corb Lund.

Now it was time to climb the thousand stairs (Janis' estimation) up to the main concourse to step out for a smoke and get another beer. Therefore we didn't get to see Barney Bentall, we could hear him but couldn't see him. It was during this time, that I got a nice surprise. I saw a lady selling beers so I went to line up and grab a beer when the guy in front of me was buying a few beers for what I thought were his friends, he turned around to me and asked me what I was drinking. I told him I was drinking Molson Canadian, that is when he said to the lady "and this guy here will have two Canadian's as well", this guy was standing in line buying people beers. I saw him buy at least twelve beers for people. At 10 dollars a pop, this guy was doling out cash like crazy. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I thanked him very much for the beers, cheered him and was on my way. So to whoever you were, that was an awesome of you and again thank you SO much.

Next up was Dallas Green of City and Colour/Alexisonfire doing a solo set. Now I have to admit I am not all that familiar with his music, but was pleasantly surprised by how good he was. Dallas has an awesome voice and is a decent songwriter too. He closed out his set with a great version of the Tragically Hip song "Bobcaygeon", that was a nice surprise. Good set.

Dallas Green of City and Colour.

The headliner of the night for us Blue Rodeo was up next as we weren't sticking around to see Nickelback, and this was the main reason Janis wanted to go as she is a big fan of Blue Rodeo, and I myself too am a fan of them. This was my third time seeing Blue Rodeo in concert and again they didn't disappoint. I've said it before and I'll say it again, they are like Canada's version of the Grateful Dead, maybe a little more country and not as psychedelic, but the longevity of them being together thirty plus years and the teaming up of Greg Keelor (Canada's Jerry Garcia) and Jim Cuddy feed off each other so well and the meshing of their voices and the way they each do their own songs.

Blue Rodeo's set was about an hour with them doing these songs that I know "Head Over Heels", "Diamond Mine", "5 Days In May" and closing out their set with the song "Lost Together" in which many of the other performers from the day joined them on stage for the song. That song seemed to take on even more meaning considering what this show was all about. A great set by a great Canadian band, beautiful weather, great audience, awesome music and all in the name of raising money for the rebuild of Fort McMurray. The concert raised over two million dollars. We got the hell out of the stadium before Nickelback came on. Janis and I had a whole lot of fun at the show. Good times!!!

Blue Rodeo.

T-shirt that I won't wear in public because of the Nickelback on it, but hey the shirt was only 20 dollars and it went to a good cause.