"McGuinn and McGuire couldn't get no higher But that's what they were aimin' at."
Mamas & Papas-Creeque Alley-4/29/67
That would be Roger McGuinn of the Byrd's and Barry McGuire. Barry McGuire wrote & sang "Green Green" for the New Christy Minstrels. and helped the Mamas & Papas get their start.
But Barry is best known for his hit single "The Eve of Destruction" which hit the number one position on the charts on 8/21/65 and stayed on the charts for 16 weeks.
"The eastern world, it is explodingViolence flarin’, bullets loadin’You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’"
This song was recently voted as the number one all time 60's protest song
on Satellite radio and is viewed by many as more relevant in today's world - 40 years later.
Six months after McGuire's release, on 2/5/66 The Ballad of The Green Berets by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler hit the top of the record charts.
This was reflective of a divided country, and confused times,not unlike today."and you tell me over andover and over again, my friendAh, you don’t believeWe’re on the eveof destruction."
In September, a car struck a Phoenix woman, actress Terry Earp while she was bicycling. She remains in serious condition.
A benefit concert was organized and put on this last Thursday at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center. Barry McGuire and poet Rod McKuen, were joined by local cowboy songwriters and singers.
Gerry and I attended the concert. It was an intimate venue, seating no more than 250 and the atmosphere reminded me of folk singing at coffee houses in the 60's.
don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to sayCan’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ awayThere’ll be no one to save, with the world in a graveTake a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy
The show featured both old school cowboy and folk music.
Barry's set included songs from the Christy Minstrels, Mamas & Papas & Byrds and of course the infamous Eve of Destruction that has become popular again and is an important part of American pop music history.
It is rated number 25 on my all time top 5000 songs. I was able to score the original Album (now a CD) that is only sold in Germany.
Barry, actually lived through the "60s" twice, now 70 years young.
He was great!!!!
Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’I’m sitting here just contemplatin’I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.Handful of senators don’t pass legislationAnd marches alone can’t bring integrationWhen human respect is disintegratin’This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’
Finishing the show was Rod Mckuen. McKuen is a poet, author, songwriter, composer and performer. He has penned more than 1,500 songs, including Seasons in the Sun ( #1 hit for Terry Jacks in 74) It Was a Very Good Year for Frank Sinatra and If you Go Away.
In the late 60's every college coed had a Rod McKuen album in her dorm room. I know Gerry did!!!
We pulled two old LP's out tonight for dinner music.
Think of all the hate there is in Red ChinaThen take a look around to Selma, AlabamaYou may leave here for 4 days in spaceBut when you return, it’s the same old placeThe poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgraceYou can bury your dead, but don’t leave a traceHate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say graceAnd… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friendYou don’t believeWe’re on the eveOf destructionMm, no no, you don’t believeWe’re on the eveof destruction.
Rod is now in his mid 70's and his delivery was a bit raspy, the vintage wine becoming vinegary but the crowd loved him.
Overall it was a warm, uplifting performance for a good cause. In our hearts the 60's will live forever..............And Terry will recover!
OK, that's it, EL Lobo concert # 465 on the road to 500 and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of fame.
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