Return to Rock-and-Roll Page.Barry McGuire in the 1960's became one of the first rock protest singers, with a worldwide hit that echoed the feelings that many had during those years.
He was born Barry McGuire in Oklahoma City in 1937. He joined Randy Sparks' New Christy Minstrels in the early 60's and became the group's lead singer. He did the lead with his gritty voice on their first big hit, Green, Green, in 1963.
McGuire became involved with record producer Lou Adler and singer/songwriter P.F. Sloan. He left the New Christy Minstrels to go solo and signed with Adler's Dunhill Records. He came up with a giant hit, a protest song titled Eve Of Destruction. Backed on the recording by the original members of the Grass Roots, McGuire's record topped the USA charts in 1965 and reached number 3 in the UK. It seemed to strike a chord with people who were inundated with news of protests and wars in the strife-torn 60's. It was also to be McGuire's only top forty record as an independent act, although he added some minor hits such as Child Of Our Times and Cloudy Summer Afternoon.
McGuire was friends with the Mamas and Papas, who mentioned him in the lyrics of their narrative record about their own group, Creeque Alley.
Barry McGuire released several albums on into the early 70's that were not big sellers. He later turned to Contemporary Christain music and met with much success. His Eve Of Destruction is regarded as one of the most popular protest songs of the 60's.
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