Eve of Destruction

[@NoviJimB]

Mr brother Tom was a folk singer back in the mid-late 60's. He mostly just played for enjoyment , didcoffee house gigs here and there, and did a short midwestern USO tour where he played a few shows. He would play for us younger kids at home (youngest 3 out of 8) and this was probably my favorite song that he played for us. I was too young to really think about the lyrics (I was born in 1960), I just loved hearing him sing and play. Treasured memories.

[@howard7606]

There are a certain number of songs that represent the sound and feel of the 60's. This was one of them.

[@Deevo037]

And its as valid today as it ever was.

[@64fairlane305]

The sound? This is about so much moore than just the sound. Music really meant something back then, like he said at 3:08

[@AnthonyStJames]

Yes. This song and also Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco (Flowers in Your Hair)."

[@howard7606]

@@AnthonyStJames Yes Anthony

[@ibleebinU]

I've played and sung along to this tune a thousand times and I still get chills. If this doesn't reach you, you don't have a pulse.

[@ericseaberg5840]

I’ve performed and recorded with Barry over the years... his version of this story on flights around the country has always amazed me. I’m so glad that SOMEONE has finally put all this amazing music history together. THANK YOU!!!

[@raycope2086]

I still love it as I did when I was a kid in Belfast. It still speaks volumes.

[@frequentfiler]

I fought the Cold War and after. I had a Walkman (remember those?!) with a mix tape to be played over my tank's intercom when we went to war with the Soviet Union. This was the first song. It transcends generations and decades, and even NOW, is relevant

[@billvoss7407]

thanks so much. background on one of the most important songs of our time.

[@allenjones3130]

Barry McGuire, who had a hit with this song, had been a member of the New Christy Minstrels, a legendary folk group.

[@VashthStampeede]

I was a young teen when I heard it on the radio in L.A. I ran out and bought the 45. It was one of the few firsts in my beginning record collection.

[@davidmantooth1285]

I remember when Eve of Destruction came out. People either hated it or loved it.

[@gelmann2]

In 1965 KFWB was the #2 station - Number One was KRLA and KHJ coming up fast !

[@RandyFelts2121]

In 1965 I had $3 in my pocket bought the album off the record rack, because of the album cover never heard the song till I got home to play it. I was 13.

[@wilsonwalker5658]

One of the best songs every ...thanks barry .

[@caddis4801]

Makes me think of the day my brother left for Nam. Part of him came home in a bag.

[@toyman81]

So sorry my Friend!!

[@caddis4801]

@@toyman81 Thank you and I assume you served. God Bless you and thank you!

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

@@caddis4801 Served whom? Lucifer?

[@MrRomanthunder]

Sorry for your brother. May he Rest In Peace.

[@jerrybrownell3633]

There was an answer song to "Eve of Destruction" In 1965 an obscure group called The Spokesmen recorded " Dawn of Correction". You can probably hear it on KZbin.

[@docwill184]

Jerry Brownell; They were on Mike Douglas; squeaky, squeaky clean....

[@JeffMcCalib]

Also Quicksilver's Hope: "When you said this is the Eve of destruction, surely my friend you must've been blind. I can see on the dawn of this morning, a dim Ray of hope for mankind ........"

[@kb6kgx]

The Spokesman comprised of John Madara, Dave White and a third guy whose name I don't know. Dave White was a member of Danny & The Juniors whose big hits were "At The Hop" and "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay". Madara and White cowrote both songs. Madara went on to write or cowrite many hit songs over the years including "1-2-3" by Len Barry, "The Fly" by Chubby Checker and probably the biggest hit song he ever wrote, "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore. As a record producer, Madara put Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff together, and THEIR career is legendary. Madara discovered Darryl Hall and put him together with another unknown singer whose name was John Oates. Whatever happened to THEM?

[@arnebroxleirnes418]

'Eve of Destruction' is certainly a good song - but above all - it's a great a recording of a great take performed by the right guy.

[@jerrybrownell3633]

Barry McGuire was lead singer for The Folk Music Group The New Christy Minstrels. They had a big hit in 1963 with "Green Green".

[@raymorse3259]

Was a great song that suited it`s day.

[@martysomoco]

Ray Morse And it suits our situation today.

[@sammorreale6105]

PF Sloan was a genius!!!!

[@Tyrfingr]

When music was seriously good

[@johnberg2658]

Still is big time.

[@user-lx1cg5ug6h]

Thank you!!!! Its a love song!

[@davidmiles533]

The most amazing part of this story is that KFWB became an all news station.

[@michaelmakes4883]

"punching in vocals".. there's a spot in the recording where Barry's vocal overlaps..so there has to be more than one take done.. splicing... it's at one of the spots where he sings "and you tell me" then ",over and over..." is laid on top of that note....the "me" leaks on top of the "over".. always noticed that,and still dig it..last chorus I think..thanks

[@MegandRob]

You helped change the world. We gotta work on that again. We need you

[@dono1716]

Great tune when music meant something and you could understand it.Just part of culture

[@NickRatnieks]

It's worth listening to PF Sloan's take on the song's Genesis and the reaction from the record company and others. It's in the Songwriters School of LA interview which is on KZbin. It's a remarkable interview- over 2 hours- but he does not begin talking until about 12 minutes in.

[@davidskaar3232]

Gut wrenching and bone grindingly good.

[@LightningDogg]

I call Bravo Sierra on the "it's not a protest song" story. I was only 11 when it came out and even I knew it was a protest, but I liked it. Took me a little longer to figure out another song I liked was a protest...Bob Seeger's 2+2 Is On My Mind.

[@kb6kgx]

Damn RIGHT it's a protest song! Every line in the song is "protesting" something.

[@timdwyer4229]

I met Barry McGuire after a concert once in Modesto California when he sat in with Randy Spark’s band, The New Christy Minstrels. Barry wanted to know why I seemed to have two dates. Well, it’s simple I said. One is my ex wife and the other is my ex girl friend. Their common dislike of me will probably make them good friends. They both wanted to see Randy and Barry play, so what could I do?

[@blindsquirrel7802]

I've been working on a parody of this song dedicated to I4 in Orlando, Fla called "There's Gonna Be More Construction". They can't seem to finish it.

[@bonanzatime]

One of The Best songs Ever.

[@coolezum]

Lmao, I joined the Army on my 17th birthday and I couldn't vote?? But I found a way to drink and smoke weed!😂

[@Pimp-Master]

They're leaving out that the song was created in a fever dream by PF Sloan, who quickly regretted ever writing it. None of the Dunhill bosses liked the HEAT that came their way from DC. Sloan later had mental illness stemming from the PTSD he got from this mid-sixties experience.

[@alanoneill3065]

I'm confused by this...how did the song get to be played on the radio if it hadn't been completed...who gave it to the radio station?

[@TheDeryckRobertsonChannel]

This song is just as valid in 2020.

[@maryanngreatbatch931]

When I was a teen this record ended up in our house. My dad heard it once and destroyed it. Now I know it was way too much of a downer. It put pll in disspare for the future.

[@victoriaballard7354]

Still relevant.

[@maureenmcfadden9920]

very cool.

[@pressureworks]

Remember when everyone had to have the rock waterfall feature for the pool ? Quickly removed when the kids bashed their heads on the rocks !

[@monsieurwaitsmarc5822]

just Wonderful and thru

[@gelmann2]

Bob Dylan wishes he had written this song ! Obviously influenced by Dylan!

[@123Goldhunter11]

They should update the words and put it out again. Nothing has changed. We're still being told that dropping bombs on women and children is patriotic when it's all for money, oil, gas pipelines and power.

[@gregorypaullloyd9209]

GOLD HUNTER : Apparently, you aren't too familiar with this song...In fact, Barry has updated it on several occasions, particularly the last verse, because like most "protest songs", it is a commentary of the events of that time, so they tend to date themselves...originally, in 1964, when it was written, it spoke of Red China, & the goings on in Selma, Ala., during the civil war movement...by 2002, the final verse was all about Al-Qieda....in 2012, Barry has a much more spiritual take on the last verse.....I assume he had permission to make these lyric changes....Barry Macguire did not write this song.....

[@LetArtsLive]

@@gregorypaullloyd9209 who did write it then?

[@gregorypaullloyd9209]

@@LetArtsLive a gentleman named P.F. Sloan wrote it in 1964...Barry recorded & released it in 1965....

[@LetArtsLive]

@@gregorypaullloyd9209 I wonder if he got any credit for this song The House of the Rising Sun was written by somebody in prison I read somewhere

[@gregorypaullloyd9209]

@@LetArtsLive ...not much...most everybody gives Barry writer's credits....(a lil' side tidbit:...on that 1965 album, Barry also recorded "California Dreamin", to be released as a single...his backup singers were a little known group that called themselves " The Mamas & the Papas"...it did not do well....the next year, 1966, they recorded their version...and, as you know I'm sure, it did VERY well...)

[@oldreliable40]

a 1965 classic!

[@oldreliable40]

from n.y.s.!

[@timhays4290]

I contend the voting age did not need to be lowered to 18. The draft age needed to be raised back up to pre FDR, WW2 age of 21. A young man could enlist at 18. But, not be drafted until 21. Other than that great song. Absolutely great song.

[@goatface6602]

Tim Hays Never draft anyone. If there aren’t enough volunteers it means the people don’t want the fight.

[@timhays4290]

@@goatface6602 I'll have to agree with Sacrates if a man is not willing to take up arms in the defense of the nation that provided him a place to be nurtured and educated that man should leave the country. People like you want rights without responsibilities. Freedom without cost. A leach on society.

[@TheDylandProductions]

@@timhays4290 Agreed. I hate drafts. But even the Romans knew to only give the benefits of society to the citizens... Those who, among other things like paying taxes, were draftable. Why? Because freedom isn't free. "People want rights without responsibilities" is excellently put! :D

[@mikehall6e]

I wrote my song 'Remember 9/11' based on the style of 'Eve of Destruction'.

[@davidwright9897]

P.F. Sloan said he liked Tiny Tim's version. You Tube has a video of him recording with headphones.

[@petebyron1957]

Who gave the radio station the unfinhished copy?

[@danielmesery2904]

Fits2020

[@flemingcourt]

It's a song of hope!

[@giovanniacuto2688]

it cries out to be re-written and re-recorded. Again we are in the eve of destruction!

[@PamK36]

It's true Barry wasn't protesting anything, because he didn't write the song.

[@wro4582]

the eve of destruction came and went.

[@leesanna7835]

Ok, so how did the radio station get a hold of the tape?

[@anton1949]

"Song changed the age for voting rights from 21 to 18"; Also helped to end the draft, and bring in a voluntary Military.

[@LetArtsLive]

I have a question then how did the radio station get their tape to play Barry McGuire must have given it to them or somebody? I love that song. It still applies today my friend's band will not play it cuz he says it's too depressing but I love that song Nobody plays it in a band is a cover but they should it applies right now it's still the same maybe worse then the sixties

[@robertm2000]

So who DID get the song to the radio station?? It had to be a tape or pressing! Somebody in this story did a bit of "bootlegging!" There are many stories of people getting their songs on the radio that way, but how did this particular song get airplay?

[@westmeathguy]

Riding on Bob D's coattails.

[@georgefeist8190]

THAT LOOKS LIKE A FRESNO BACK YARD

[@jerrybrownell3633]

Written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Bari. They also wrote " Secret Agent Man" for Johnny Rivers. They also helped create the Grassroots before they became a real band.

[@artysanmobile]

Jerry Brownell Two great songs. Really great songs! How many can say that?

[@gearshifterg9756]

When I was on the radio, I would introduce it as "Secret Asian Man".

[@gearshifterg9756]

Why was there explanation for how the radio station got the song?

[@tuskedbeast]

Not enough credit to the song's author here.

[@5150zombie]

Nice.

[@kinkfloydd]

I toured with Barry McQuire after his fame to a series of churches. I am not impressed with him as a person since he had no appreciation for me opening for him, which echoes my feelings as well toward him. We never had words, but he was the star and so being a star excuses treating people poorly

[@theresaembrey1160]

Well if you had no words for him either...???

[@lamper2]

Let me break it to you....nobody cares about you! kinkfloydd

[@lamper2]

ahhhhh you don't believe......FUNNY STORY

[@trickymicky0007]

the truth prevails-eventually:-)

[@ronmetcalf1972]

...and later on, Barry McGuire became a Christian and then sang for the Lord.

[@artysanmobile]

Ron Metcalf He won the race to the bottom.

[@loveistruth5713]

@@artysanmobile if you want to be great in God's kingdom you have to be servant of all. Quote from Jesus.

[@oldmanvollox7793]

parody song old man vollox read the instructions

[@harvey1954]

Pete Seeger hated this tune. Manufactured "protest". Love PF Sloan, but I thought this was kind of lame.

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

We need to raise the voting age from 18 to about 39

[@broncodeviltexas]

Can't be one take. There's an awful edit on the recording.

[@canadianroot]

Gee...I wonder....you think it might be helpful to put names to the two people being interviewed? Lazy.

[@NOTSOCOOLDUDE]

I find it ironic that an American can actually say, "you don't believe in war but what's that gun you're toting?

[@DJ-bj8ku]

Poorly edited video.

[@pdailey1950]

Worst song I ever heard, it was a hopeless and depressing song.

[@ktcarl]

Yeah and they should stop letting 18yr olds vote and move it back to 21.

[@oldcougar65]

This is good sh*t