Burton Cummings
Encyclopedia
Burton L. Cummings, OC
, OM
(born December 31, 1947, in Winnipeg
, Manitoba
) is a Canadian musician and songwriter
.
He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock
band
The Guess Who
. During his 10 years in The Guess Who, from 1965 to 1975, he sang and wrote or co-wrote many songs including "American Woman
," "No Time," "Share the Land," "Hand Me Down World," "Undun," "Laughing," "Star Baby
", "New Mother Nature
," and "These Eyes." His solo career includes many Canadian singles including "Stand Tall", "My Own Way to Rock" and "You Saved My Soul."
city of Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, as were all of the other original members of The Guess Who
, and attended St. John's High School
. His first band was a local Winnipeg R&B
group, The Deverons, with an 'E' (not to be confused with the band The Devrons who had Country/R&B hits in the early 1960s). The Deverons with Cummings released two singles on the tiny REO Records label. The first single, "Blue Is The Night / She's Your Lover", was cut in a Winnipeg radio station. The second single, "Lost Love / Feel Alright", was recorded at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis, where The Guess Who frequently recorded. He joined The Guess Who in 1965 to replace keyboardist Bob Ashley and shortly thereafter its previous lead singer, Chad Allan
, left the band.
Cummings also tried his hand at acting. He appeared alongside Paul Sorvino
, Glynnis O'Connor
and Don Johnson
in the 1982 film Melanie.
In 1969 The Guess Who scored an international hit with "These Eyes", co-written by Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman
. It was followed up by hit "Laughing
", again written by Cummings and Bachman. Another Guess Who song, "Undun", featured Cummings on a jazzy flute solo. In 1970, the band hit no. 1 in Canada
with "American Woman."
Ultimately, conflict between Cummings and bandmate Randy Bachman—partially ignited by Bachman's then-deepening Mormon
religious beliefs—caused a rift in the band. Bachman left and went on to form the band Brave Belt
with former Guess Who mate Chad Allan, and later Bachman–Turner Overdrive.
Cummings became the band's leader and recorded songs that included "Share the Land," "Hand Me Down World," "Albert Flasher," "Rain Dance," "Sour Suite," "Glamour Boy," "Star Baby," "Clap for the Wolfman," and "Dancin' Fool."
's second solo LP, Boats Against the Current
, including "She Did It
."
Cummings' subsequent solo hits in Canada included "Stand Tall," his biggest American solo hit, peaking at #10, "I'm Scared," "Break it to Them Gently," and "Fine State of Affairs." Cummings charted outside Canada with "Stand Tall" and "You Saved My Soul." His Dream of a Child album released in 1978 was the biggest Canadian album in history at that time. Cummings released a total of eight solo albums and collections from 1976 to 1990. In 1997 he released a live compilation album of his solo performances entitled Up Close and Alone.
Cummings became a resident of Sherman Oaks, California, and began writing and singing for films in the late 1970s. He currently winters in California and returns to Winnipeg in the summer, living in Canada throughout autumn. Besides his music, Cummings purchased Winnipeg's "Salisbury House
" restaurant chain with manager Lorne Saifer and is an avid comic book
collector.
For several years Cummings has been active on My Space, blogging and posting music and photos. As of June 25, 2010, he unveiled a new website where you can stream all his music and where he will continue his blog – http://www.burtoncummings.net
in Brandon
, Manitoba
. Cummings was also made a member of the Order of Manitoba
. In 2003, the band played at the so-called "SARSstock" concert in Toronto
.
, a band from Toronto
and makes occasional appearances at various Canadian casinos as a solo performer. The Bachman-Cummings Band have released a compilation album titled the Bachman-Cummings Song Book featuring songs from The Guess Who, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Cummings' solo career. They have also released an album titled The Thunderbird Trax, which is an album that Cummings and Bachman recorded in Bachman's toolshed in British Columbia
in 1987. Previously unreleased until 2006, it was made available exclusively at Bachman-Cummings concerts, and is now available on the Bachman-Cummings website.
The Bachman-Cummings First Time Around
CBC TV
Special was released on DVD in November 2006 on the Sony BMG label. In June 2007, Bachman and Cummings released an album titled Jukebox
that covered various songs from the 1960s that influenced them. A follow-up album to Jukebox as well as a television special have also been discussed.
They last played together in 2009 at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario
. Bachman has since rejoined with CF Turner and Cummings has toured on his own with the Carpet Frogs.
", a cover of the famous Bob Dylan
song. The single debuted at the 21st spot on the Canadian music internet music chart.
On November 4, 2008, Cummings released his first solo album of new studio material in 18 years titled Above the Ground
. The album has 19 tracks of original songs written by Cummings, some of which were written by him many years ago. The album was recorded with his touring band The Carpet Frogs
. The release also includes a DVD with a behind the scenes look at the recording process. The first single from the album was "We Just Came from the U.S.A." Originally a Canadian-only release, Above the Ground is now available at Burton Cummings' website and on iTunes.
The Burton Cummings Theatre, located in downtown Winnipeg
, is named after Cummings.
by Governor General
Michaëlle Jean
. The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours, and was established in 1967 to mark a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation.
, Keats
and Edgar Allan Poe
were great inspirations to him during his writing process, saying, "I like to be influenced by the best."
On June 28, 2011, it was announced that Cummings will receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame
and will be inducted on October 1 at Elgin Theatre
in Toronto. He previously received a star as part of The Guess Who in 2001.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, OM
Order of Manitoba
The Order of Manitoba is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Instituted in 1999 when Lieutenant Governor Peter M...
(born December 31, 1947, in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
) is a Canadian musician and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
The Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
. During his 10 years in The Guess Who, from 1965 to 1975, he sang and wrote or co-wrote many songs including "American Woman
American Woman (song)
"American Woman" is a song by Canadian rock band The Guess Who, first released in January 1970 on the album of the same name and later in March as a single, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been covered by many rock artists, including Lenny Kravitz, Krokus, and The Butthole...
," "No Time," "Share the Land," "Hand Me Down World," "Undun," "Laughing," "Star Baby
Star Baby
Star Baby was a 1974 hit by The Guess Who. It was written by Burton Cummings, who also provided the lead vocals. It reached #39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #30 on the Cash Box chart, but made it up to #9 in Canada, where the group is from...
", "New Mother Nature
No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
"No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature" is a song by the Canadian rock band, The Guess Who. It was released on their 1970 album, American Woman, and was released on the B-Side of the "American Woman" single without the "New Mother Nature" section...
," and "These Eyes." His solo career includes many Canadian singles including "Stand Tall", "My Own Way to Rock" and "You Saved My Soul."
Biography
Cummings was born and raised in the CanadianCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
city of Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, as were all of the other original members of The Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
, and attended St. John's High School
St. John's High School (Winnipeg)
St. John's High School in Winnipeg, Canada, is part of North City Schools in the Winnipeg School Division. The school was founded in 1899.To celebrate the school's hundredth anniversary in 2009-2010, the 100th Reunion Committee will be leaving a legacy to honour the past, present and future alumni...
. His first band was a local Winnipeg R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
group, The Deverons, with an 'E' (not to be confused with the band The Devrons who had Country/R&B hits in the early 1960s). The Deverons with Cummings released two singles on the tiny REO Records label. The first single, "Blue Is The Night / She's Your Lover", was cut in a Winnipeg radio station. The second single, "Lost Love / Feel Alright", was recorded at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis, where The Guess Who frequently recorded. He joined The Guess Who in 1965 to replace keyboardist Bob Ashley and shortly thereafter its previous lead singer, Chad Allan
Chad Allan (musician)
Chad Allan is a Canadian musician and founding member of The Guess Who. He was the group's original lead singer and front man, as well as rhythm guitarist, songwriter and occasionally drummer and pianist....
, left the band.
Cummings also tried his hand at acting. He appeared alongside Paul Sorvino
Paul Sorvino
Paul Anthony Sorvino is an American actor. He often portrays authority figures on both sides of the law, and is possibly best known for his roles as Paulie Cicero, a portrayal of Paul Vario in the film Goodfellas and Sgt. Phil Cerreta on the police procedural and legal drama television series Law...
, Glynnis O'Connor
Glynnis O'Connor
Glynnis O'Connor is an American actress, perhaps best known for her work in the mid-1970s, including her lead actress roles in the TV version of Our Town and the films Ode to Billy Joe and Jeremy, all of which co-starred Robby Benson.O'Connor was born in New York City, the daughter of stage, film...
and Don Johnson
Don Johnson
Donnie Wayne "Don" Johnson is an American actor known for his work in television and film. He played the lead role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s TV cop series, Miami Vice, which led him to huge success. He also played the lead role in the 1990s cop series, Nash Bridges...
in the 1982 film Melanie.
Success with The Guess Who
Between 1966 and 1969, The Guess Who were one of the hardest working-bands in Canada. Despite having released several strong singles, a hugely successful split LP ("A Wild Pair", which also featured Ottawa's The Stacattos), and a weekly stint as house band on CBC-TV's "Let's Go!", mainstream success eluded them.In 1969 The Guess Who scored an international hit with "These Eyes", co-written by Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman
Randolph Charles "Randy" Bachman, OC, OM is a Canadian musician best known as lead guitarist, songwriter and a founding member for both the 1960s–70s rock band The Guess Who, and the 1970s rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive...
. It was followed up by hit "Laughing
Laughing (song)
"Laughing" is a popular song by Canadian rock band The Guess Who. It peaked at #1 on the Canadian Singles Chart and at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's second single to reach the Top 10 on the latter...
", again written by Cummings and Bachman. Another Guess Who song, "Undun", featured Cummings on a jazzy flute solo. In 1970, the band hit no. 1 in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with "American Woman."
Ultimately, conflict between Cummings and bandmate Randy Bachman—partially ignited by Bachman's then-deepening Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
religious beliefs—caused a rift in the band. Bachman left and went on to form the band Brave Belt
Brave Belt
Brave Belt was a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba originally consisting of Randy Bachman , his former The Guess Who bandmate, Chad Allan , and Randy's brother Robbie . Randy also provided bass tracks for the recording of the band's first album, Brave Belt I . But C. F...
with former Guess Who mate Chad Allan, and later Bachman–Turner Overdrive.
Cummings became the band's leader and recorded songs that included "Share the Land," "Hand Me Down World," "Albert Flasher," "Rain Dance," "Sour Suite," "Glamour Boy," "Star Baby," "Clap for the Wolfman," and "Dancin' Fool."
Going solo
In 1975 Cummings left The Guess Who after 10 years, to become a solo artist, The group disbanded. One of his first projects included providing back-up vocals on Eric CarmenEric Carmen
Eric Howard Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.He scored numerous hit songs across the 1970s and 1980s, first as a member of the Raspberries , and then with his solo career, including hits such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", "She Did It",...
's second solo LP, Boats Against the Current
Boats Against the Current (album)
Boats Against the Current is a 1977 album by Eric Carmen. The title is taken from a line in the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was Carmen's second solo LP, after the Raspberries disbanded....
, including "She Did It
She did it
"She Did It" is a hit single written and performed by Eric Carmen, released in August 1977. It was the first and greatest hit on Carmen's second solo LP, Boats Against the Current. It reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 15 on the Cashbox chart...
."
Cummings' subsequent solo hits in Canada included "Stand Tall," his biggest American solo hit, peaking at #10, "I'm Scared," "Break it to Them Gently," and "Fine State of Affairs." Cummings charted outside Canada with "Stand Tall" and "You Saved My Soul." His Dream of a Child album released in 1978 was the biggest Canadian album in history at that time. Cummings released a total of eight solo albums and collections from 1976 to 1990. In 1997 he released a live compilation album of his solo performances entitled Up Close and Alone.
Cummings became a resident of Sherman Oaks, California, and began writing and singing for films in the late 1970s. He currently winters in California and returns to Winnipeg in the summer, living in Canada throughout autumn. Besides his music, Cummings purchased Winnipeg's "Salisbury House
Salisbury House (restaurant)
Salisbury House is a restaurant chain based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Known locally as "Sals," the chain is considered a Winnipeg institution....
" restaurant chain with manager Lorne Saifer and is an avid comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
collector.
For several years Cummings has been active on My Space, blogging and posting music and photos. As of June 25, 2010, he unveiled a new website where you can stream all his music and where he will continue his blog – http://www.burtoncummings.net
The Guess Who returns
In 2000, Cummings, Bachman, and original drummer Garry Peterson toured as The Guess Who. Bassist Jim Kale played one show and former Guess Who sidemen Donnie McDougall and Bill Wallace re-joined the line-up through the remainder of the tour in Canada and later in the U.S. The reformed The Guess Who toured with Cummings from 2000 through to the summer of 2003. In 2001 Cummings and the rest of The Guess Who received honorary doctorates at Brandon UniversityBrandon University
Brandon University is a Canadian university located in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, with an enrolment of 3383 full-time and part-time students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon College as a Baptist institution. It was chartered as a university by then President Dr....
in Brandon
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. Cummings was also made a member of the Order of Manitoba
Order of Manitoba
The Order of Manitoba is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Instituted in 1999 when Lieutenant Governor Peter M...
. In 2003, the band played at the so-called "SARSstock" concert in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Bachman-Cummings
Cummings plays occasional shows with Randy Bachman as The Bachman-Cummings Band, featuring The Carpet FrogsThe Carpet Frogs
The Carpet Frogs are a Toronto based rock band. They are best known for their work with Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.-Band members:Nick Sinopoli - Percussion and vocalsDavid Love - Guitar and vocals...
, a band from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and makes occasional appearances at various Canadian casinos as a solo performer. The Bachman-Cummings Band have released a compilation album titled the Bachman-Cummings Song Book featuring songs from The Guess Who, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Cummings' solo career. They have also released an album titled The Thunderbird Trax, which is an album that Cummings and Bachman recorded in Bachman's toolshed in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in 1987. Previously unreleased until 2006, it was made available exclusively at Bachman-Cummings concerts, and is now available on the Bachman-Cummings website.
The Bachman-Cummings First Time Around
First Time Around
First Time Around is a one-disk DVD by Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings recorded in 2006 at CBC Studios in Toronto, Ontario by CBC. First Time Around was originally featured on CBC in April 2006, but was later released as a DVD featuring extended footage of the concert...
CBC TV
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
Special was released on DVD in November 2006 on the Sony BMG label. In June 2007, Bachman and Cummings released an album titled Jukebox
Jukebox (Bachman Cummings album)
Jukebox is the first studio album from Canadian rock legends Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings under the Bachman & Cummings name. It was released on Sony BMG on June 12, 2007. The album features covers of songs from the 1960s that Bachman and Cummings believed inspired them while growing up in...
that covered various songs from the 1960s that influenced them. A follow-up album to Jukebox as well as a television special have also been discussed.
They last played together in 2009 at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, pronounced ōrĭl'ēə, is a city located in Simcoe County in Southern Ontario, Canada, between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, 135 kilometres north of Toronto.Originally incorporated as a village in 1867, the history of...
. Bachman has since rejoined with CF Turner and Cummings has toured on his own with the Carpet Frogs.
Above the Ground
Outside of his work with Bachman, in November 2004 Cummings released a single "With God on Our SideWith God on Our Side
"With God on Our Side" is a song by Bob Dylan, released as the third track on his 1964 album The Times They Are A-Changin. Dylan first performed the song during his debut at The Town Hall in New York City on April 12, 1963...
", a cover of the famous Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
song. The single debuted at the 21st spot on the Canadian music internet music chart.
On November 4, 2008, Cummings released his first solo album of new studio material in 18 years titled Above the Ground
Above the Ground
Above the Ground is an album by Burton Cummings released in late 2008 on Sony Music Entertainment Canada. It is his first solo recording since 1997 and his newest studio recording in the 18 years since his 1990 Plus Signs album....
. The album has 19 tracks of original songs written by Cummings, some of which were written by him many years ago. The album was recorded with his touring band The Carpet Frogs
The Carpet Frogs
The Carpet Frogs are a Toronto based rock band. They are best known for their work with Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.-Band members:Nick Sinopoli - Percussion and vocalsDavid Love - Guitar and vocals...
. The release also includes a DVD with a behind the scenes look at the recording process. The first single from the album was "We Just Came from the U.S.A." Originally a Canadian-only release, Above the Ground is now available at Burton Cummings' website and on iTunes.
The Burton Cummings Theatre, located in downtown Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, is named after Cummings.
Order of Canada
On December 30, 2009, Cummings was named an officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
by Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation, from 2005 to 2010....
. The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours, and was established in 1967 to mark a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation.
Book of poetry
On the November 23, 2010, morning show episode of Canada AM, Cummings announced that he will be releasing a book of poetry. He mentioned that he had been working on it for the past 3 years; and that it would be available in 2011. The collection of poems will be titled "The Writings of B. L. Cummings." He stated that works by KiplingRudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
, Keats
John Keats
John Keats was an English Romantic poet. Along with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, he was one of the key figures in the second generation of the Romantic movement, despite the fact that his work had been in publication for only four years before his death.Although his poems were not...
and Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
were great inspirations to him during his writing process, saying, "I like to be influenced by the best."
On June 28, 2011, it was announced that Cummings will receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame , located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a walk of fame that acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians...
and will be inducted on October 1 at Elgin Theatre
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres are a pair of stacked theatres in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Winter Garden theatre is seven stories above the Elgin Theatre....
in Toronto. He previously received a star as part of The Guess Who in 2001.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | CRIA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
|||
| 1976 | Burton Cummings | 5 | 30 | 2× Platinum |
| 1977 | My Own Way to Rock | 4 | 51 | 2× Platinum |
| 1978 | Dream of a Child | 11 | 203 | 3× Platinum |
| 1980 | Woman Love | 4 | — | Platinum |
| The Best of Burton Cummings | — | — | 2× Platinum | |
| 1981 | Sweet Sweet | 36 | — | Gold |
| 1984 | Heart | 89 | — | — |
| 1990 | Plus Signs | 43 | — | Gold |
| 1994 | The Burton Cummings Collection | — | — | — |
| 1996 | Up Close and Alone | 29 | — | Platinum |
| 2008 | Above the Ground Above the Ground Above the Ground is an album by Burton Cummings released in late 2008 on Sony Music Entertainment Canada. It is his first solo recording since 1997 and his newest studio recording in the 18 years since his 1990 Plus Signs album.... |
16 | — | — |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN AC | CAN | CAN Country | US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
|||
| 1976 | "Stand Tall" | 1 | 4 | — | 10 | — | Burton Cummings |
| 1977 | "I'm Scared" | 6 | 43 | — | 61 | — | |
| "Timeless Love" | 13 | 44 | — | — | — | My Own Way to Rock | |
| "My Own Way to Rock" | — | 38 | — | 74 | — | ||
| "Your Backyard" | — | 63 | — | — | — | ||
| 1978 | "Break It to Them Gently" | 1 | 9 | — | 85 | — | Dream of a Child |
| 1979 | "I Will Play a Rhapsody" | 3 | 20 | — | — | — | |
| "Takes a Fool to Love a Fool" | — | — | 19 | — | 33 | ||
| "Meanin' So Much" | 14 | 75 | — | — | — | ||
| "Draggin' 'Em Down the Line" | 33 | 85 | — | — | — | single only | |
| 1980 | "Fine State of Affairs" | 30 | 10 | — | — | — | Woman Love |
| "One and Only" | 48 | 78 | — | — | — | ||
| 1981 | "You Saved My Soul" | 12 | 31 | — | 37 | — | Sweet Sweet |
| 1982 | "Mother Keep Your Daughters In" | 24 | — | — | — | — | |
| "Something Old, Something New" | 26 | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984 | "Love Dream" | 23 | — | — | — | — | Heart |
| 1985 | "Whatever Happened to Your Eyes" | 27 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1990 | "Take One Away" | 6 | 16 | — | — | — | Plus Signs |
| "One Day Soon" | 27 | 60 | — | — | — | ||
| "The Rock's Steady" | — | 97 | — | — | — | ||
| "Free" | 9 | 72 | — | — | — | ||
| 2004 | "With God on Our Side" | — | 29 | — | — | — | single only |
| 2008 | "We Just Came from the U.S.A." | — | — | — | — | — | Above the Ground |
| "Dream" | — | — | — | — | — |
Collaborations with Randy Bachman
- 2006 Bachman-Cummings Songbook – Compilation that features tracks from The Guess Who, Burton Cummings and Bachman–Turner Overdrive
- 2006 The Thunderbird Trax – A compilation of previously unreleased material recorded by Bachman and Cummings circa 1987
- 2007 JukeboxJukebox (Bachman Cummings album)Jukebox is the first studio album from Canadian rock legends Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings under the Bachman & Cummings name. It was released on Sony BMG on June 12, 2007. The album features covers of songs from the 1960s that Bachman and Cummings believed inspired them while growing up in...
– Bachman & Cummings album that features covers of songs by artists such as Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, The ShadowsThe ShadowsThe Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
and The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
See also
- The Guess WhoThe Guess WhoThe Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
- Canadian rockCanadian rockCanadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, beginning with American style rock 'n' roll in the mid-20th century. Since then Canada has had a considerable impact on the development of the modern popular music called rock...
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Bruce Robb (producer)Bruce Robb (producer)Bruce Robb is an American musician, record producer, engineer, and music supervisor. He is most recognized for his active role in the formative years of the music industry: first as a member of “The Robbs” during the music revolution of the 1960s, then as a founder of Cherokee Studios in the...