Barry McGuire

Barry McGuire (born 15 October 1935) is an American singer-songwriter.

He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and moved to California in early childhood. At age 16 he joined the United States Navy, but was discharged ten months later for being under age.

After living as a drifter in his late teens and early twenties, McGuire got a job singing in a bar. In 1961, he formed a duo with Barry Kane. They both joined the New Christy Minstrels in the Spring of 1962. In 1963, McGuire wrote a the Christys’ first and greatest hit single: “Green, Green.” He left the Christys in January, 1965, after recording the album "Cowboys and Indians".

As a folk-rock solo singer in the 1960s, he was best known for his hits "Eve of Destruction" and "Sins of the Family", both written by P.F. Sloan. McGuire also starred for a year in the Broadway musical Hair.

McGuire converted to Christianity in 1971. In 1973, he joined the Myrrh label and released the album Seeds. This album is also notable for the backing vocals provided by the family trio that would become known as the 2nd Chapter of Acts. In 1974, McGuire released his second Contemporary Christian album Lighten Up, which included a remake of "Eve of Destruction". He toured with 2nd Chapter of Acts and "a band called David" and in 1975 this collaborative effort resulted in the live double album To the Bride.

In 1976, he left Myrrh, joining former Myrrh executive Billy Ray Hearn's new label Sparrow Records. He recorded seven albums on Sprarrow, the best known of which is Cosmic Cowboy, released in 1978. That year he also released a top-selling children's albumn Bullfrogs and Butterflies for Sparrow's subsidary label Birdwing.

In the 1980s, McGuire left the music industry and settled for a time in Australia. He returned to the United States in the 1990s, teaming up with Terry Talbot and recording as Talbot McGuire. The duo released four albums between 1996 and 2000.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, radio conglomerate Clear Channel Communications sent out of a list of 150 songs that were recommended to be pulled from airplay. McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" was on the list.

As of 2004, he now only takes engagements which include a few songs and talks on a mixture of topics by both McGuire and his wife, Mari. The McGuires reside in California.

Barry McGuire

External Links