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How Canada Penetrated the American Music Scene
The Guess Who was the most notable “Canadian Invasion ” band
Next year will be the 60th anniversary of the renowned “British Invasion.” The Beatles were the first of a long line of Brit bands that, in 1964, overtook the USA pop music scene with admittedly Americanized music.
The British Invasion overshadows a musical event of a different sort that occurred in the early 1970s — the lesser-known “Canadian Invasion.” Coming down to the United States were a raft of Canadian musical artists who busted into American pop charts. Ironically, these artists headed south of the border because Canadian radio stations were dominated by American and British recording artists, making airplay for homegrown solo artists and bands a challenge.
Guess Who was the first band to make a big impression in America. No, that isn’t a question: “The Guess Who” was the name of a Canadian band that penetrated America’s pop music scene in the late Sixties and Seventies.
Guess who came before The Guess Who
Truth be told, The Guess Who was preceded by other famous Canadian musical performers. From the 1930s through the 1960s, band leader Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians was an orchestral fixture during New Year’s Eve celebrations…
