Before 1965, when legislation began requiring Canadian radio stations to play a certain amount of home-grown music, groups like Chad Allen and the Expressions had trouble getting their songs played in their own country. So, they released a song under the name Guess Who? It caught on.
The song, “Shakin’ All Over,” became a Top 25 hit and started the Guess Who on their way to rock and roll stardom. Consisting of Randy Bachman, Allan Kobel (who had rechristened himself Chad Allen), Bob Ashley, Jim Kale and Garry Peterson, the Guess Who tagged on to a package tour and hit the road with the Turtles, Eddie Hodges and the Crystals.
When vocal issues forced Allen’s retirement, Burton Cummings was brought aboard to share vocal duties with Bachman and the band scored their first Number 1 hit, “American Woman.” As was the case back when 45′s ruled the Top 40 airwaves, the B-Side, “No Sugar Tonight,” also received airplay and the record was a dual-sided Number 1.
It entered the Hot 100 at Number 46 in March 1970 and hit Number 1 during the week of May 9, residing there for 3 weeks.
