The Guess Who Fake Band Bullshit Big Sacrifice!
The Guess Who fake band controversy has finally ended with Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings winning back their legendary name.
After decades of watching impostors tour under their banner, the original songwriters took drastic legal action.
You’re about to discover the complete story behind one of classic rock’s most heated battles.
This fight wasn’t just about money or ego.
It was about preserving the legacy of “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” and dozens of other hits.
The Guess Who fake band saga reveals how musicians must protect their life’s work from exploitation.
Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings perform at the Canada’s Walk Of Fame Fundraising Event Music Under The City Stars held at Casa Loma on July 18, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images)
🎸 Celebrate The Real Guess Who Legacy
This victory calls for revisiting the authentic classics that started it all.
Experience the albums that Bachman and Cummings actually created together.
Shop Essential Albums →📚 Table of Contents
🎥 Watch: Burton Cummings Discusses The Fake Band Controversy
The Guess Who Fake Band: The Full Story
Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman have opened up about their lawsuit victory in a new interview with the Q with Tom Power podcast.
The iconic duo revealed shocking details about what drove them to take legal action.
Cummings explained they were “very upset with what the fake band had done” over many years.
This classic rock news sent shockwaves through the music community when the settlement was announced.
In September 2024, Bachman and Cummings finally acquired the trademark to their band’s name.
💡 Did You Know?
The Guess Who never trademarked their name during their 1970s heyday. Jim Kale secretly registered it in 1986 without telling Bachman or Cummings, leading to decades of conflict.
What Happened and Why It Matters
The problems started when former bassist Jim Kale trademarked The Guess Who name in 1986.
Kale then organized touring versions of the band with constantly rotating lineups.
Original drummer Garry Peterson joined these tours intermittently through the years.
However, Kale retired from performing in 2016, leaving Peterson as the sole original member.
Eventually, Peterson also stopped appearing at many shows due to health reasons.
This meant fans were paying to see “The Guess Who” with zero original members on stage.
Bachman and Cummings called this group “Kale’s Klones” and described their concerts as “fake bullshit shows.”
🎵 Hear the Authentic Sound
Now you can experience what made the real Guess Who legendary.
Own the original albums that defined Canadian rock history.
Browse Albums Now →Bachman and Cummings Speak Out on The Guess Who Fake Band
The pair revealed disturbing details about the impostor group’s behavior.
Musicians in the cover band would claim they wrote classic songs like “These Eyes” and “American Woman.”
They used original Guess Who recordings to promote their shows.
Some members even signed their names on the band’s classic albums.
Cummings noted, “They got to the point where they believed it was their stuff.”
“At first, it didn’t bother me so much, but it went on and on,” Cummings explained in the interview.
“It was just enough already.”
Bachman described the intense mediation process in Los Angeles.
“We decided to finally go to mediation in LA and not leave the room until it was decided,” he said.
Cummings added that “we were arguing and fighting that whole time” during negotiations.
💡 Did You Know?
Burton Cummings took the unprecedented step of terminating his performance royalty agreements to prevent the cover band from playing his songs. This meant he sacrificed income from radio, TV, and even Lenny Kravitz’s Grammy-winning “American Woman” cover.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
Fans across the world celebrated when the settlement was announced.
Many had shared stories on social media about feeling “duped” by the touring version.
The original lawsuit cited multiple Facebook screenshots from disappointed concert-goers.
These fans bought tickets expecting the original classic rock artists.
Instead, they received what Bachman and Cummings labeled a “cover band.”
The news that Bachman and Cummings would return sparked immediate excitement.
Their January 31, 2026 show in Niagara Falls sold out almost instantly.
The Rock Legends Cruise XIII appearance also sold out within days.
Historical Context and Significance
The Guess Who officially disbanded in 1975 after Cummings departed.
The classic lineup of Bachman, Cummings, Kale, and Peterson reunited periodically over the years.
Their 1999 performance at the Pan American Games closing ceremonies featured all four original members.
A 2003 SARS benefit concert in Toronto drew 450,000 people.
That show remains the largest outdoor ticketed event in Canadian history.
Between 2000 and 2003, Bachman and Cummings toured extensively under The Guess Who name.
After that tour ended, Kale resumed his separate touring operation with hired musicians.
Albums released by this version received mostly unfavorable reviews and failed to chart.
What Defeating The Guess Who Fake Band Means Going Forward
The first thing Cummings wanted after winning was to put together a real band with Bachman.
“He and I knew we could put together a tremendous show,” Cummings said.
“I knew right away, I said, ‘This is gonna be fun.'”
The duo announced the “Takin’ It Back Tour” for 2026 with former Eagles guitarist Don Felder as opener.
This marks their first tour as The Guess Who in 23 years.
The Canadian tour kicks off May 26 in Moncton and visits major cities through August.
Stops include Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre, and Vancouver’s PNE.
Fans can also expect some BTO favorites mixed into the setlist.
Read more about the Guess Who reunion shows on ClassicRockArtists.com.
🎸 Essential Guess Who Albums 🎵
Celebrate the real legacy with these must-have records from Bachman and Cummings
🎤 American Woman
1970 – RCA Records
The album that made The Guess Who international superstars.
Contains the iconic title track that hit #1 in both the US and Canada.
Also features “No Time” and “No Sugar Tonight” – essential listening.
🎤 Canned Wheat
1969 – RCA Records
Features the double-sided hit singles “Laughing” and “Undun.”
Showcases the band’s psychedelic rock evolution.
A fan-favorite that demonstrates Bachman and Cummings’ songwriting brilliance.
🎤 Share the Land
1970 – RCA Records
The first album after Bachman’s departure, featuring Kurt Winter.
Contains “Hand Me Down World,” “Bus Rider,” and the title track.
Proves Cummings’ continued songwriting excellence.
🎤 Wheatfield Soul
1969 – RCA Records
The breakthrough album featuring the million-selling “These Eyes.”
Producer Jack Richardson mortgaged his house to finance this record.
Where the authentic Guess Who sound truly came together.
🎤 So Long, Bannatyne
1971 – RCA Records
Features the beloved “Rain Dance” and “Sour Suite.”
Named after a street in Winnipeg where the band members grew up.
A deeply personal album showcasing Cummings’ emotional range.
🎤 A Few Good Moments
2024 – Burton Cummings Solo
Burton’s first solo album in over 15 years.
Features 17 tracks including collaborations with Jim Vallance.
Proof that Cummings’ voice and songwriting remain powerful.
⚠️ For Comparison: Albums from the Kale/Peterson Era
These albums were released by the touring version without Bachman or Cummings
Plein D’Amour
2023 – Kale/Peterson Version
Released by the version Bachman and Cummings sued.
Did not chart and received unfavorable reviews.
The band must now rebrand this release.
The Future Is What It Used To Be
2018 – Kale/Peterson Version
Another album from the touring version with no Bachman or Cummings.
Featured Garry Peterson and hired musicians.
Not released through a major label and failed to chart.
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💿 Get Ready for the Real Reunion
Honor the authentic Guess Who legacy with these essential albums.
Every fan needs these records before the 2026 tour.
View Essential Albums →The Guess Who’s Legacy and Impact
The Guess Who has shaped rock music for over six decades.
They became the first Canadian rock group to top the Billboard Hot 100 with “American Woman.”
During their peak years, they released eleven studio albums that all charted.
The band charted fourteen Top 40 singles in the United States and over thirty in Canada.
Bachman later achieved massive success with Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Cummings carved out an impressive solo career with multiple hit singles.
Both were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
The duo was recently nominated for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Learn more about The Guess Who’s American Woman album on ClassicRockArtists.com.
💡 Did You Know?
The riff for “American Woman” was improvised by Randy Bachman while tuning his guitar after breaking a string during a live show. The rest of the band jumped in, and Cummings spontaneously added the memorable lyrics.
Your Questions About The Guess Who Fake Band Answered
They claimed a “cover band” was using original recordings to mislead fans into thinking the real Guess Who was performing.
The touring group often had zero original members on stage despite using the band’s name.
The lawsuit was originally filed in October 2023.
Bachman and Cummings acquired full control of the trademark through the settlement.
This unprecedented move meant venues couldn’t legally host performances of his songs.
He sacrificed his own royalties to prevent the cover band from playing hits like “American Woman.”
They acquired it through the September 2024 settlement.
Jim Kale had originally registered the trademark in 1986 without the other members’ knowledge.
They also perform January 31 in Niagara Falls and on Rock Legends Cruise XIII in February.
Don Felder (formerly of the Eagles) will open the Canadian tour dates.
Their X (Twitter) account was scrubbed of most content.
Cummings said any existing albums using The Guess Who name “will have to rebrand.”
Check our news section for the latest updates.
Explore 70s classic rock artists for more legendary bands.
Why This Victory Changes Everything
This settlement represents a landmark victory for artists fighting to protect their legacies.
Bachman and Cummings proved that the songwriters who created the hits deserve control of their band’s name.
Fans can now see the real Guess Who perform the songs they wrote and made famous.
Explore more classic rock news and artist profiles on ClassicRockArtists.com.
The Guess Who fake band controversy is finally over, and the real legends are back where they belong.
🎸 Celebrate The Real Guess Who Legacy
Grab the essential albums or explore our complete tour coverage!
Sources:
KSLX – Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman on Their Fight to Get Back The Guess Who Name
Rolling Stone – The Guess Who End Decades-Long Legal Battle
CBC News – Former Bandmates of Winnipeg’s Guess Who Settle Trademark Lawsuit
Billboard Canada – Canadian Rockers The Guess Who Settle Legal Battle Over Trademark Rights
Best Classic Bands – Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman Announce 2026 Tour as the Guess Who
Last updated: January 7, 2026
