Nostalgic Nights: Reliving Cottage Memories with The Guess Who at Scotiabank Arena
- Michael Drukarsh
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh
Toronto, Ontario - Sitting in Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night for The Guess Who and special guest Don Felder brought back memories of summers up in cottage country sitting on the dock with the tunes cranked. This time though, the night was spent with about 18,000 people and the beer was a lot more expensive.
Don Felder
Don Felder, for those who may not know, was part of the classic Eagles lineup that brought us Hotel California. As co-writer for one of the biggest selling albums of all time, Felder had a lot of tunes in his songbook for the night’s performance. Breaking out Eagles classics such as “Life in the Fast Lane”, “Heartache Tonight” and of course the set closer "Hotel California" with the instantly recognizable double neck guitar, that had the entire stadium singing along, Felder delivered a wonderful set of summer tunes.
Also included in the set was a total surprise with “Heavy Metal (Tak’n a Ride)”, a solo effort that he wrote as part of the soundtrack to the 1981 cult classic Heavy Metal. The song was accompanied by snippets of the animated masterpiece on the giant screen. The stand out for me was “Seven Bridges Road”, a song he wrote while thinking about his summers growing up in Gainesville, Florida. The haunting harmonized a cappella opening of the song gave me and I'm sure the rest of the audience goosebumps.
Don Felder Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
The Guess Who
Together again after more than 20 years, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman took the stage as The Guess Who and WOW was it ever amazing! As Cummings so humbly said, “we’re here to remind you of the records we cut”. With an incredible backing band to help deliver the soundtrack to the mostly over 50 audience’s 1970s summer, they did exactly that.
The set was pure Canadiana as the two boys from Winnipeg appeared to have a blast going through the greatest hits of The Guess Who. Bachman took his place stage left, sitting up on his stool with guitar in hand while Cummings took on the role of M.C., sharing stories and the history of songs as they played through their catalog.
From being the first Canadian Band to ever receive an American gold record from Dick Clark himself on American Band Stand for “These Eyes” to the Midnight Special shirt Cummings wore in honor of Wolfman Jack who hosted the show when they played and of course inspired the hit “Clap for the Wolfman”, The Guess Who had the packed stadium on their feet and clapping the whole night.
Not only did he play host, Cummings also showed off his multi-instrumental talent as he moved from behind the keyboard to take on the guitar, harmonica, tambourine and of course the flute for that very important 16 bar solo in “Undun”. The entire band was really put to the test with “Guns Guns Guns” and no one missed a beat as the environmentally focused protest song rocked the stadium.
During an incredible rendition of “American Woman” Cummings introduced a “special guest” as he walked away from the mic only to return seconds later with face covered to break into a great Jim Morrison impression as he belted out “Save Our City” from Roadhouse Blues.
Of course, you can’t have Randy Bachman on stage and not recognize the incredible contribution he made with BTO. “Let it Ride”, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and the show closer “Takin’ Care of Business" remind us of just how important both these artists are to the history of Canadian music!
Set List
969 (The Oldest Man)
Proper Stranger
Hand Me Down World
These Eyes
Albert Flasher
Let It Ride (Bachman–Turner Overdrive cover)
Clap for the Wolfman
Laughing
Guns Guns Guns
Undun
Star Baby
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (Bachman–Turner Overdrive cover)
My Own Way to Rock (Burton Cummings song)
A Wednesday in Your Garden
American Woman
No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature
No Time
Encore:
Share the Land
Takin' Care of Business (Bachman–Turner Overdrive cover)
The power and control that Burton Cummings has of his voice and the guitar wizardry showcased by Randy Bachman after both have been in the industry more than 60 years is unbelievable. The music was nothing short of phenomenal and watching Bachman and Cummings on stage together having an absolute blast was a perfect way to spend a warm summer night with 18,000 friends.
The Guess Who Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
The Guess Who Online
Show Date: May 30, 2026
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