04.06.11: Barry McGuire - Eve Of Destruction (P.F. Sloan) - live in Frankfurt/Germany

Trippin' the 60s: US singer-songwriter Barry McGuire on lead vocals and on 12 string acoustic guitar performs his apocalyptic 1965 #1 hit "Eve Of Destruction" (Dunhill Records), written by P.F. Sloan aka Philip Gary Schlein at the tender age of 15, (with a little help from John Foley York, born on August 3, 1946, ex-Gene Clark Group, Sir Douglas Quintet, Lamp Of Childhood, The Mamas & Papas, Johnny Rivers, David Crosby's replacement in The Byrds, on 12 string acoustic guitar and backing vocals) at "Tag der Organspende" (Day of organ donation) benefit concert @ Hauptwache, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

McGuire was born on October 15, 1937 in Oklahoma City and member of the New Christy Minstrels.

"Eve of destruction" became a hit with the Punkrock crowd after the Dickies, Johnny Thunders (ex-New York Dolls and Heartbreakers), Red Rockers, DOA, Screaming Jets, Crashdog, Psychic TV, Bishop Allen a.o. covered the tune.
****
Lyrics:

Verse 1:
The eastern world, it is exploding
Violence flarin, bullets loadin
Youre old enough to kill, but not for votin
You dont believe in war, but whats that gun youre totin
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin

Chorus:
But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you dont believe
Were on the eve
of destruction.

Verse 2:
Dont you understand what Im tryin to say
Cant you feel the fears Im feelin today?
If the button is pushed, theres no runnin away
Therell be no one to save, with the world in a grave
[Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]

Chorus

Verse 3:
Yeah, my bloods so mad feels like coagulatin
Im sitting here just contemplatin
I cant twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators dont pass legislation
And marches alone cant bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin

Chorus

Verse 4:
Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, its the same old place
The poundin of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but dont leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but dont forget to say grace

Chorus
+
Mm, no no, you dont believe
Were on the eve
of destruction.

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[Detroit1967]

@bloater999 ... or Johnny Thunders but, hey, Barry's version was the hit in 1965.

[bloater999]

Love this song - even if I tend to play the Dickies cover of it more!