FeatureView Trippin the 60s with McGuire By Chris Murphy
Barry McGuire It has been nearly fifty years since Barry McGuire shocked the music world with his surprise hit “Eve of Destruction”. This song, loaded with angst, fear and worry was a #1 hit in September of 1965, was a big departure from the songs of the New Christy Minstrels. Barry joined the Minstrels in 1962 and went solo in ’65. Barry recorded and performed throughout the ’60 with members of the Byrds, Mamas and the Papas, the Association and many more writhing songs like Green, Green and others. Barry played the critically acclaimed lead “Claude” in the Broadway smash hit HAIR. In 1970, Barry hit bottom and discovered Christianity and a whole new path and life opened for Barry. He tours and performs with many of his 60s friends today and takes his amazing story on the road called “Trippin’ the ‘60s” with former Byrd John York. This show will be Aug 24 at the Seasons at 7 pm. This is a FREE event and will be benefitting Hope Haven International.
Let’s meet Barry McGuire:
ModestoView: What do you think was the biggest change that came out of the 60s? Barry McGuire: Without a doubt the traditional family infrastructure was deeply damaged producing single mothers who gave birth to a house full of children, with each one having a different father.
MV: Did you ever expect the Eve of Destruction to be such a big hit? Barry: Absolutely not! I really liked what it had to say, but I had no idea it was going to strike the American psyche the way it did. As a result of “Eve’s” popularity, I thought we were going to change the world, but then “Hang On Sloopy” took “Eve’s” place as the number one tune in the nation, so our social awareness was short-lived to say the least
MV: What was your most memorable performance during the 60s? Barry: Without a doubt, performing the male lead with the original Broadway cast of “Hair” on Broadway was the most fun I had during that entire decade.
MV: Which one of your songs as most withstood thetests of time? Out of all the songs recorded Barry: In the sixties, “Eve of Destruction” is probably more valid today than it was when it charted in the summer of ’65. If anyone would like to hear an updated version of the tune with new lyrics written by Phil Sloan, the original author, they can go to youtube.com<http://youtube.com/> and type Eve 2012 into the Search engine.
MV: Is there a event from the 60s that you wish you could do over? Barry: Not really. Most of life is just learning what not to do, and if you survive the experience, (which many of my friends didn’t) then you can look back and think, “Man, was that the stupidest thing I’ve ever done or what, I never want to do that again.” It’s all a learning curve.
MV: What advise would you give to people that wish they had grown up in the 60s? Barry: Well, like my friend, Owen Orr used to say, “Most people have one foot in tomorrow and the other foot in yesterday, and they’re urinating all over today.” So my advice to all is, “Just live in the moment giving it all of our energy and attention. This present moment is the only place we can actually do something that makes a difference.”
MV: Describe your perfect idea of a day now. Barry: Once again, my idea of a perfect day is when I can address each unfolding frame of time as a sacred experience, knowing it has never happened before and will never happen again. If I can stay ‘in the moment’ from the time I open my eyes in the morning until I close them in the evening, that for me would be the perfect day. Oh yeah, and I do love my backyard garden, and I spend as many moments in it as I can.
Hair Photos by: Kenn Duncan
