Barry McGuire is an iconic American folk rock singer-songwriter, best known for his 1965 hit song "Eve of Destruction". Born in Oklahoma City in 1935, McGuire was the son of a Pentecostal minister. At an early age, he began honing his musical talents, playing guitar and singing in church. By the age of 14, he had already formed a band and was performing professionally.
In the early 1960s, McGuire moved to Los Angeles and began performing at clubs around town. It was during this time that he met up-and-coming folk singer-songwriter, P.F. Sloan. The two quickly became friends and began writing songs together. It was Sloan who wrote the lyrics to "Eve of Destruction", which McGuire would later record.
The song was released in 1965 and quickly became a huge hit, reaching the top of the charts in both the US and the UK. The song's pointed lyrics about the state of the world and its political unrest resonated with people and it became a massive success. The song was even covered by The Byrds and The Turtles.
In the following years, McGuire released several more singles and albums, but none of them matched the success of "Eve of Destruction". He also collaborated with other artists, such as the group The Mamas & The Papas, and toured extensively. During this period, he also acted in the musical Hair and recorded a few duets with P.F. Sloan.
In the 1970s, McGuire moved away from the music industry and began a successful career as a motivational speaker. He also returned to his Pentecostal roots and became a pastor. He would later return to music with the release of a few albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Today, McGuire's legacy lives on in the music of today. His song "Eve of Destruction" has been covered by many artists over the years, including U2, R.E.M., and Green Day. He has been inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and is remembered as a musical pioneer and a symbol of protest and social justice.
