List of The Guess Who members

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The Guess Who in 1970 (L-R: Kurt Winter, Garry Peterson, Greg Leskiw, Burton Cummings, Jim Kale)

The Guess Who is a Canadian rock band, originating as the Guess Who? in 1966, and adopting the name The Guess Who in 1968.[1] They were most successful from 1969 to 1975, under the leadership of singer/keyboardist Burton Cummings.[2] During that period they released eleven studio albums, all of which reached the charts in Canada and the United States; their 1970 album American Woman reached no. 1 in Canada and no. 9 in the United States, and five other albums reached the top ten in Canada. They also achieved five number one singles in Canada and two in the United States.[2]

During the 1969-1975 era prior to the band's breakup, Cummings and drummer Garry Peterson were the only consistent members; they were joined by five guitarists and two bassists during those years. Cummings ended the band in 1975 and embarked on a solo career.[3] In the following decades, Cummings and original guitarist Randy Bachman led several one-time reunion shows or short commemorative tours with various former members.[4][5]

In 1978, original bassist Jim Kale organized a separate version of the band without the consent of Bachman and Cummings. Kale's band featured a frequently changing cast of musicians, sometimes including Peterson, and these lineups frequently toured on the nostalgia circuit.[6] In 2024, Bachman and Cummings announced that they had gained control of the band's name, and disallowed Peterson from continuing to tour under the name (Kale had by then retired).[7] In June 2025, Bachman and Cummings announced they would perform as The Guess Who at several shows in 2026.[8]

This list article does not include musicians who filled in temporarily for official members or members of the version of the band led by Kale and Peterson.

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Garry Peterson 1962–1975 (reunions 1979, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2000–2003)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
all Classic Era releases
Jim Kale 1962–1972 (reunions 1983, 1999, 2000)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all releases from Shakin' All Over (1965) to Live at the Paramount (1972)
Randy Bachman
  • 1962–1970
  • 2025–present (reunions 1979, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2000–2003)
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
all releases from Shakin' All Over (1965) to American Woman (1970)
Chad Allan 1962–1966 (died 2023)
  • vocals
  • rhythm guitar
Bob Ashley 1962–1966
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • Shakin' All Over (1965)
  • Hey Ho (What You Do to Me!) (1965)
Burton Cummings
  • 1966–1975
  • 2025–present (reunions 1979, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2000–2003)
  • vocals
  • keyboards
  • rhythm guitar
  • flute
  • harmonica
all releases from It's Time (1966) to Power in the Music (1975)
Bruce Decker 1966–1966 (died 1986) rhythm guitar none
Kurt Winter 1970–1974 (died 1997)
  • lead guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
all releases from Share the Land (1970) to Road Food (1974)
Greg Leskiw 1970–1972
  • rhythm guitar
  • vocals
Donnie McDougall 1972–1974
Bill Wallace 1972–1975
  • bass
  • vocals
  • Artificial Paradise (1973)
  • #10 (1973)
  • Road Food (1974)
  • Flavours (1974)
  • Power in the Music (1975)
Domenic Troiano 1974–1975 (died 2005)
  • guitars
  • mandolin
  • backing vocals
  • Flavours (1974)
  • Power in the Music (1975)

Timeline

Lineups

References

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