The sun lingered on the horizon as folks wrapped up their picnics to make their way down the hill and into the pavilion at Blossom Music Center. Racks of classic vintage guitars lined both sides of the stage. Everyone was ready to rock and roll – and rock and roll they did!
After settling a decades-long legal battle to reclaim their rightful naming rights and catalog, Canadian rock legends Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman of The Guess Who are celebrating with the aptly named Takin’ It Back Tour.
Performing at Blossom again for the first time since 1973, they rocked the hills of the Cuyahoga Valley with their incredible set list of rock hits, paired perfectly with Don Felder’s opening act of Eagles hits and selections from his own catalog.
Even though I seemed to be one of the very few people in attendance under 50…let alone in their 20s…I also grew up listening to some of these songs and ended up recognizing many more of them than I thought I would. It was truly a classic night of rock and roll.
Don “Fingers” Felder, formerly the lead guitarist of the Eagles, got the party started with some classic hits: “Already Gone,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” and “Heartache Tonight.” With music videos and cartoons playing on the screen behind his ensemble, the whole set was very engaging– especially between songs when Felder shared stories about music and life from the 70s and 80s. [Felder also shared stories with CleveRock in a pre-show interview!] While I wasn’t yet born to remember when these classics were released or hear them on the radio, the audience sure did! The iconic guitar and vocal harmonies of “Seven Bridges Road” (Steve Young cover) didn’t seem to age one bit.
Felder got folks standing up and dancing along to songs from his solo catalog, including “Heavy Metal (Takin’ a Ride” and “I Like the Things You Do”– released just last year. All this led up to the highly anticipated performance of “Hotel California.” Felder, with his signature modified Gibson double-neck guitar, let those famous riffs sing out– it was incredible to hear live and received a well-deserved standing ovation. He tossed picks into the crowd as the sun set below the tree line.
Anticipation built as folks gathered in groups, took smoke breaks, and got ready to hear The Guess Who.
The band took to the stage with “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon”– an incredible choice to open their act and one of my personal favorites. All seven members of the ensemble had microphones and they worked the stage like the seasoned professional that they are! With Bachman swapping guitars and Burton busting out his tambourine (and even flute for “Undun”), every song was entertaining.
From slow tunes to fast numbers and all kinds of rock and roll in between, they got people dancing to “Star Baby” with a colorful light show and nodding their heads to “Guns Guns Guns” in front of the Maple Leaf (the most recognizable national symbol of their native country). Before playing “These Eyes,” Cummings related, “this one stirs up a lot of memories for us; hope it does for you!”
They even played “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” (Bachman–Turner Overdrive) and “My Own Way to Rock” (Burton Cummings) before an extended transition into “American Woman,” which is actually their original song (oftentimes incorrectly credited to Lenny Kravitz), born out of an improvisation on stage in 1969. Everybody got to their feet and stayed upright all the way through the encore!
They definitely stirred up memories, not only for artists, but for the fans as well. Folks were clapping, dancing, and pumping their fists. An older gentleman in the front even raised his cane in the air (Rock on, Man! Rock on!) The energy was incredible. Even 78-year-old Cummings got up on the drum riser with his tambourine. (Same age as Don Felder…and four years Bachman’s junior!). 70s? 80s? Doesn’t matter! These elder statesmen of rock were ‘taking care of business’ and proving that 84 is the new 44.
The Guess Who are back, playing their songs under their name; just the way it should be! They closed their set with “No Time,” “Share the Land,” and “Takin’ Care of Business” (Bachman–Turner Overdrive). Their sound echoed off the trees and rang in everyone’s ears. Mother nature gifted fans a beautiful night and the crowd loved every bit of the performance.
With so many well accomplished musicians, it was a show filled with hits, passion, and rock. While this concert brought back memories for most attendees, it created new ones for me. This was my first time at Blossom; first time taking concert photos; and my first time penning a concert review. (Memories I won’t soon forget!) I had a wonderful experience at Blossom and I’m excited to return for more shows this summer.
‘Fingers’ and The Guess Who still got it!
© 2025 CleveRock Music Portal. A PROUD SHAPE CLEVELAND PRODUCTION