- published: 22 Jun 2008
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Barry McGuire (born October 15, 1935) is an American singer-songwriter best known for the hit song "Eve of Destruction", and later as a pioneering singer and songwriter of contemporary Christian music.
McGuire was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and moved to California in early childhood, when he was two years old. At age 16 he joined the United States Navy, but was discharged ten months later for being under age.
After working as a commercial fisherman, and then going on to become a journeyman pipe fitter, McGuire got a job singing in a bar. In 1961, he released his first single called "The Tree", which was not a hit.
He formed a duo with Barry Kane (d. 2013) called Barry & Barry. The new duo folk act performed their own brand of original folk arrangements—noticeably impressive melodies laced with rich harmonies—at The Ice House, a small folk club in Pasadena, CA. before moving on to The Troubadour in Hollywood in the spring of 1962. At The Troubadour they both joined The New Christy Minstrels, a large folk group performing there, and McGuire sang lead vocals on their novelty single "Three Wheels on My Wagon". They continued to perform their separate duo act there as well as performing with The New Christy Minstrels. They cut their first and only album as Barry & Barry called "Here And Now" which contained songs such as "Gold Wedding Ring", "Land Of Odin", the single "Another Man", "Summer's Over", "You Know My Name", "Bull 'Gine Run", and "Far Side Of The Hill". It also included "If I Had A Hammer". released three months after the release of the same song by folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Their LP "Here And Now" on vinyl eventually went out of print, but has since been digitally remastered and re-released on CD.
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreaming on such a winter's day
Stopped into a church I passes a long the way
Oh I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold,
he knows I'm gonna stay
California dreaming on such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
If I didn't tell her I could leave today
California dreaming