Why Barry?

It's hard to write a popular or well known song. The odds are just not stacked in you favor. For Barry McGuire, 75, he was had the good fortune to write two hit songs, though each's popularity rest in different crowds.

In 1965, P.F. Sloan wrote the song "Eve of Destruction". The song was offered to several recording artist, rejected by The Byrds and recorded by The Turtles, but it was Barry McGuire's version that became a nationwide hit. The song is still closely associated with the 60s generation and the Vietnam War for its strong protest lyrics.


"Eve of Destruction" was Barry's only top 40 hit, and allowed him to work with famed 60s artist like The Mama's and the Papa's, and have a short lived film career. Additionally he was been referenced by artist from the Temptations to Frank Zappa, whom listed Barry as a musical influence.

In 1971, Barry became a born again Christian and began writing Christian themed music. He even re-worked "Eve of Destruction"'s lyrics before removing it from his setlist. After several religious themed albums, Barry signed to Sparrow Records in 1976. In 1978 he released Cosmic Cowboyand contributed to the children's album Bullfrogs and Butterflies. The latter would become Barry's new stepping stone of fame, as he wrote and recorded the title song. The album remains popular today and has sprawled several sequel records.


In recent years, Barry has returned to playing "Eve of Destruction" and even went on a Sounds of the 60s tour with other musical acts from that decade, though he sometimes still tweaks the lyrics to modernize them. He also does Christian family friendly shows where "Bullfrogs and Butterflies", among other Christian tunes, are prominent.