In a major announcement for Canadian music fans, the legendary rock band The Guess Who will reunite with its iconic original members for the first time in more than two decades. Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings are set to tour Canada in 2026, with a confirmed stop at Ottawa Bluesfest.
A Landmark Reunion After Legal Battle
The upcoming tour celebrates a significant legal victory for the founding members. For years, the band's name was controlled by original bassist Jim Kale, who trademarked it in the U.S. nearly two decades ago. Kale, in partnership with former drummer Garry Peterson, had been organizing tours with a lineup of hired musicians, which Cummings and Bachman publicly denounced as the "fake" Guess Who.
The dispute reached a turning point in 2024 when Cummings successfully obtained a court order preventing the other group from performing any songs he wrote or co-wrote. This ruling effectively removed their biggest hits like "American Woman," "These Eyes," "No Time," and "Share The Land" from the setlist, leading to the collapse of that touring entity. By September 2024, an out-of-court settlement was finally reached, returning control of the legendary band's name to its most famous members.
Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 Details
The reunited Guess Who will be the first act confirmed for the 2026 edition of Ottawa Bluesfest, the city's largest music festival. The event is scheduled to run from July 10 to July 20, 2026, on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats Park.
The band is slated to headline the RBC main stage on July 19, 2026. This performance will be a highlight of a special day of programming dedicated to celebrating the 200th anniversary of the city of Ottawa.
The 2026 Canadian Tour
The celebratory tour will kick off on May 30, 2026, in Toronto. The cross-Canada journey will include stops in major cities across the country. The following cities have been announced so far:
- Hamilton
- London
- Winnipeg
- Saskatoon
- Calgary
- Edmonton
This tour marks a historic moment for the band that started in Winnipeg six decades ago, allowing a new generation of fans to experience the music that defined a Canadian rock era, performed by the iconic duo who created it.
