Barry McGuire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Barry McGuire | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Born | October 15, 1935 (age 71) | |
| Origin |  Oklahoma City, OK |
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| Genre(s) | Rock | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter | |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, Vocals | |
| Label(s) | Horizon, Ember, Dunhill, Ode, Myrrh, Sparrow | |
| Associated acts |
New Christy Minstrels | |
Barry McGuire (born on 15 October 1935) is an American singer-songwriter.
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[edit] Early life
McGuire was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and moved to California in early childhood. At age 16 he joined the United States Navy, but was discharged ten months later for being 'under age'.
After living as a drifter in his late teens and early twenties, McGuire got a job singing in a bar. In 1961, he released his first single called "The Tree" which was not a hit and formed a duo with Barry Kane. They both joined the New Christy Minstrels in spring 1962. In 1963, McGuire wrote the Christys' first and greatest hit single: "Green, Green." He left the Christys in January, 1965, after recording the album Cowboys and Indians, however, on the 1965 album Chim Chim Cher-ee, he sang only on the title cut.
[edit] Solo career
As a folk-rock solo singer in the 1960s, he was best known for his hits "Eve of Destruction" and "Sins of the Family", both written by P.F. Sloan, as were his other chart successes, "Child of Our Times" co-written by Steve Barri and "Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Raindrops) written by Travis Edmonson of 1960's folk-duo "Bud & Travis".
McGuire's LP, The Eve of Destruction reached its peak of #37 on the Billboard album chart during the week ending September 25, 1965. That same day the single of that name went to #1 on both charts. McGuire was never again to break into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
The album This Precious Time was released in 1966, his second with Dunhill Records. It includes a version of "California Dreamin'" with The Mamas and the Papas singing backing vocals.
McGuire appeared in the 1967 movie The President's Analyst with James Coburn and in Werewolves on Wheels in 197]. He also starred for a year in the Broadway musical Hair.
McGuire became a born-again Christian in 1971. In 1973, he joined the Myrrh label and released the album Seeds. This album is also notable for the backing vocals provided by the family trio that would become known as the 2nd Chapter of Acts. In 1974, McGuire released his second Jesus Music album Lighten Up, which included a remake of "Eve of Destruction". He toured with 2nd Chapter of Acts and "a band called David" and in 1975 this collaborative effort resulted in the live double album To the Bride.
In 1976, he left Myrrh, joining former Myrrh executive Billy Ray Hearn's new label Sparrow Records. He recorded seven albums on Sparrow, the best known of which is Cosmic Cowboy, released in 1978. That year he also released a top-selling children's album Bullfrogs and Butterflies (part of the Agapeland series) for Sparrow's subsidiary label Birdwing.
[edit] Later life
In the 1980s, McGuire left the music industry, and settled for a time in New Zealand with his New Zealander wife, Mari. He returned to the United States in the 1990s, teaming up with Terry Talbot and recording as Talbot McGuire. The duo released four albums between 1996 and 2000.
As of 2006, he takes engagements which include a few songs and talks on a mixture of topics, by both McGuire and his wife. The McGuires currently reside in Fresno, California.
[edit] Trivia
- Frank Zappa wrote Barry McGuire's name in the sleeve of his Freak Out album (1966) as one of his musical influences.
- The Temptations referenced McGuire's song "Eve of Destruction" in their song "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)".
- For other references and covers of "Eve of Destruction" see the article: Eve of Destruction.
[edit] Partial discography
- Barry Here and Now (1962)
- The Barry McGuire Album (1963)
- Eve of Destruction (1965)
- This Precious Time (1965)
- The World's Last Private Citizen (1967)
- McGuire and the Doctor (1971)
- Seeds (1973)
- Lighten Up (1974)
- Narnia (1974)
- Jubliation (1975)
- To the Bride (1975)
- C'mon Along (1976)
- Jubliation Two (1976)
- Have You Heard (1977)
- Cosmic Cowboy (1979)
- Finer Than Gold (1981)
- Pilgrim (1989)
- Let's Tend God's Earth (1991)
- Eve Of Destruction (A Gospel Collection) (2000)
