Randy Bachman Wrote 'American Woman' On Stage

(Radio.com) Randy Bachman tells WCBS-FM's Scott Shannon that he wrote the classic songs "Taking Care Of Business" (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) and "American Woman" (The Guess Who) on stage.

"This magic was happening on stage, like when I wrote 'American Woman' on stage." The Guess Who had been playing a show outside of Toronto near the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in a curling rink where they placed plywood on the ice in February.

"I broke a string on my Les Paul' I had no roadie, no tech, no spare guitar, no tuner; so Burton [Cummings] said, 'We're taking a break.' I got on my knees in front his piano to tune to the piano, put the string on my guitar, and as I was tuning it up I went [hums opening chords to 'American Woman']. And the whole audience - who was all talking, there was no music - their heads snapped around. I went, 'Oh my god, I have to keep playing this riff," says Bachman. "I was alone on stage. Then I got the drummer on stage. And I got the bass player. Finally, the last guy on stage was Burton Cummings and he said, 'What is this? It's great.' I said, 'Sing anything. Sing something.' Because when you sing something weird it helps you remember the notes your playing." Read more here.

The Guess Who Music, DVDs, Books and more The Guess Who T-shirts and Posters More The Guess Who News Share this article Related Stories The Guess Who In The Studio For 'American Woman' Anniversary The Guess Who Resolve Trademark Dispute The Guess Who Legend Burton Cummings Announces 60th Anniversary Tour The Guess Who Stream New Album 'Plein D'Amour' The Guess Who Share 'Headline' Video