Stereo Embers The Podcast 0385: Burton Cummings (The Guess Who)

"A Few Good Moments" So: how much of a legend is the Winnipeg-born Burton Cummings? Well, let's just start with these few facts and we'll work our way backwards. He's been inducted into both the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He's been named as an officer of the Order of Canada and both the Burton Cummings Theatre and the Burton Cummings Community Centre in Winnipeg are named after him. I mean, should we even keep going? We will, but there's no need. Legend status full cemented. But here's more: Cummings joined The Guess Who as a young lad of 18 and within a few years the band was an international sensation. They're the first Canadian act to land an American Number One with American Woman, and they had a wildly successful run of albums including Wheatfield Soul and Share The Land. After the band dissolved in 1975, Cummings launched a solo career that was decidedly huge. His first effort yielded the massive single Stand Tall, which sold over a million copies in the United States alone. He's put out close to ten albums, snagged six Juno awards, put out a book of poetry, sang background vocals for Eric Carmen, got a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame, did some acting and toured the world. He's got a new album on the way and we chat about that plus a whole lot more. The fact is, he has one of the most powerful voices in music history--it's a brilliant balance of muscle and soul and his vocal precision is practically peerless. I want to say this before we begin--Burton Cummings may be a legend, but his kindness is as legendary as his achievements--he's one of the nicest guys ever, www.burtoncummings.com www.bombshellradio.com www.stereoembersmagazine.com www.alexgreenbooks.com Twitter: @emberseditor IG: @emberspodcast Email: [email protected]