Band
“The Guess Who is a legendary Canadian band with a legacy that includes chart topping hits in the late 60s and early 70s with an impressive catalogue of songs including “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” and “No Time.” During the course of its career, the band has released 11 studio albums, and charted 14 Top 40 hit singles, 2 of which went to number one in the United States. The Guess Who is best known internationally for its 1970 album, American Woman, which hit number one in Canada and number nine in the United States, with five other albums also hitting the top ten in Canada.
Very few bands have survived numerous member changes over 50 years, and go on to build a fan base that spans multiple generations while continuing to create more great new music.
The most recent and up-to-date version of the band has mastered a wildly entertaining romp through the early hits mixed in with their current creations, while managing to take the whole experience to a new level. Their most recent musical offering is stunningly sophisticated, searingly emotional, and musically eclectic, while remaining eminently singalongable.
Their live show is a celebration of life, being alive, and thriving in these uncertain times. The Guess Who never leave anything less than their hearts on the stage at the end of every performance.
The Guess Who are currently on tour in support of their latest release, “Plein D’ Amour”,which has made several critics “Best of 2023” year end lists and has successfully amassed over one million streams online in the past few months. It is the only Guess Who album to have the band release a music video for each single on the album to provide listeners a visual dimensional approach to the band’s latest work.
Garry Peterson
Drums, Vocals
Garry Peterson is a Canadian and American drummer who over the course of a iconic career spanning more then six decades is best known for: being a founding member and co-owner of the legendary Canadian rock band The Guess Who; performing with former Guess Who member Burton Cummings; and performing with Bachman Turner Overdrive during their support of Van Halen’s 5150 Tour.
For Garry, being a child prodigy meant success came at a very young age with his first professional gig by the age of four and by six he had already performed with Peggy Lee at the Chicago Theater in Chicago, IL. Similar gigs would following with the likes of Lionel Hampton, The Four Lands, and The Andrew Sisters to name a few.
By sixteen, Garry had joined the Winnipeg band Al & The Silvertones; which over the next couple of years would transform itself into The Guess Who.
As a member of The Guess Who, Garry has to his credit: fifteen albums that have charted on Billboard 200; fourteen singles that have charted on Billboard’s Top 40, including two #1’s; and three Gold Singles and three Gold Albums as certified by RIAA.
Through The Guess Who, Garry has also been inducted in The Canadian Music Hall of Fame and received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement for contribution to popular music in Canada.
Garry is also the only current or former member of The Guess Who that has performed on every single album and participated in every single tour over the course of the band’s lengthy history.
Derek Sharp
Guitars, Piano, Lead Vocals
Derek D# Sharp was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, and is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, engineer, vocalist, performer and barista.
He has worked with a veritable who’s who in the world of music entertainment, including Red Rider, Jeff Healey, Alannah Myles, Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Alex Ligertwood (Santana) the ambassador of soul, Ellis Hall, Bobby Curtola and Sass Jordan. The list of credits is vast, but he recently produced, engineered and performed on the 25th anniversary recording of the Double Platinum album Racine by Sass Jordan as well as producing her latest blues chart toppers Rebel Moon Blues (2019) and Bitches Blues (2022)
He joined The Guess Who in early 2008, revitalizing the live show with a dynamic and interactive stage presence. He has contributed to bringing in a new generation of fans and is now the longest standing lead singer the band has ever had. He co-wrote and produced the album The Future Is What It Used To Be, in 2018. He wrote and produced the 2023 album Plein D’Amour.
Michael Staertow
Guitars, Vocals
A native of Rochester, NY, currently living in Nashville, TN – guitarist/vocalist Michael Staertow brings a pedigree that includes many years as lead guitarist and musical director with original Foreigner vocalist, and solo artist Lou Gramm, guitarist with multi-platinum artist Slaughter, as well as both RockStar counselor and Music Director of the prestigious Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp organization.
In addition to playing venues around the world, Michael has performed with Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Whitesnake), Paul Stanley (KISS), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), Buddy Guy, Carmine and Vinny Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Black Sabbath), Nancy Wilson (Heart), Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean) and original Foreigner drummer Dennis Elliott. He also shared the stage with legendary Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers and former Heart guitarist Howard Leese at the “Pandora Unforgettable Moments on Ice” show, which was broadcast worldwide on ABC-TV and On Demand.
Michael has also been the focus of articles in Guitar World, Guitar One and Vintage Guitar Magazine, as well as a featured guest on several podcasts including Guitar Player Magazine‘s “No Guitar Is Safe” hosted by GP’s Jude Gold.
In 2021, Michael accepted an offer to join The Guess Who, presenting an exciting opportunity to musically represent this legendary Canadian Music Hall of Fame artist.
Teddy Andreadis
Multi-instrumentalist, Vocals
Teddy Andreadis (known as Teddy Zig Zag) is a highly esteemed and accredited multi-instrumentalist and singer. His talent and versatility have earned him recognition, not only in the United States, but around the world as well.
Having shared the stage with a potpourri of diversified and celebrated names like
Carole King, Guns & Roses, Alice Cooper, Billy Bob Thornton, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Bruce Willis, Beth Hart, and Walter Trout, Teddy Andreadis has—and continues to—successfully garner the backing and enthusiasm of his peers and audiences alike.
Through the years, Teddy has gained a reputation as a rock-solid keyboardist, a wailing harmonica player, a soulful singer, B3 player and an insightful musical arranger. In addition to his own album, Innocent Loser, Teddy has contributed his talents to hundreds of albums over the years from artists including Lee Oskar, Nikki Sixx, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, Slash, Snakepit, Walter Trout and Billy Bob Thornton, The Boxmasters. His video work includes: Michael Jackson, Give In To Me, Guns & Roses November Rain, Yesterdays, Garden Of Eden and Estranged, and Carole King In Concert. He also appears on the Guns & Roses Use Your Illusion Live 2-DVD set.
Teddy pulled up a seat at the keys with The Guess Who in 2023. For more information on Teddy, visit his website at https://www.teddyzigzag.com/.
Greg Smith
Bass, Vocals
Greg Smith, an American / Bassist / Vocalist born in Queens NY has had an extensive career in the music world… His first break came when he was invited by Gene Simmons to join ex Plasmatics singer Wendy ‘O Williams touring band in 1984. Greg was asked to join Alice Coopers band in 1991, recording 3 albums, and appearing in the film “Wayne’s World”… In 1994, Greg was invited to audition for the new version of Rainbow that Ritchie Blackmore was re-forming, and stayed with the band until 1997.
In 2001, Greg was asked to be a part of the upcoming Billy Joel / Twyla Tharp musical “Movin Out” Greg did the entire 3 1/2 year run on Broadway, & 1 year with the road company.
In 2007, Greg received a phone call from Ted Nugent to join his band. Greg toured extensively & recorded 6 albums with him. Greg played with Billy Joel in 2012 at 2 benefits for Hurricane Sandy victims. The NBC Telethon “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together” & The 12-12-12 Concert at Madison Square Garden.
Other bands & artists Greg has toured with include Dokken, Blue Oyster Cult, Eric Martin, Joey Molland, Denny Laine, Mitch Ryder, Felix Cavaliere, Mark Lindsay, The Cowsills, Gary Puckett, Chuck Negron, Little Anthony & The Turtles.