Enduring Legacy
The history of Canada’s The Guess Who is long and winding, with drummer Garry Peterson the sole remaining member after the retirement of bassist Jim Kale. Sharp-eyed rock fans will recognize his replacement as bassist Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake), with keyboardist/flutist Leonard Shaw being the most veteran non-original member. The fact that Sarzo was recruited into the band coupled with the longevity of The Guess Who as a concert draw speaks to the enduring popularity of songs such as “American Woman,” “These Eyes” and “No Sugar Tonight.”
The legacy of The Guess Who reaches back sixty years when a singer named Chad Allen started a band in Winnipeg, Ontario. By 1962, they were called Chad Allen and the Reflections, with bassist Jim Kale, drummer Garry Peterson and guitarist Randy Bachman in the lineup. Allen was replaced by Burton Cummings as lead singer shortly after the band began going by The Guess Who?, but by 1968 the question mark was gone and the next year The Guess Who had its first hit with “These Eyes.”
The songs the band charted with during the next two years, including “No Time” and “Share the Land,” would become staples of classic rock radio and continue to make The Guess Who in-demand on today’s live circuit. –Matt Kelemen
Golden Nugget, 8 p.m. Oct. 5, starting at $59 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
Old-School Cool
Binions
One of the best things about downtown is its mix of new cool and old school. You can pretend you’re in an episode of Entourage one minute and a Rat Packer the next. Whatever vibe you’re going for, you can’t visit downtown without checking out Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, one of the most well-established restaurants in Las Vegas and a bastion of the way the town used to be.
Found on the 24th floor of the property (an elevator opens directly into the restaurant), Binion’s immediately distinguishes itself with its romantic atmosphere, ultra-friendly staff and vintage decor, not to mention its great views of downtown. Start your culinary journey with oysters Rockefeller, escargots Bourguignon and lobster bisque, and then work your way to aged Black Angus beef and Binion’s classic signature dish, chicken fried lobster. This is straight-up surf and turf, old-school fun with no formality. And you’ll love every second of it. –Ken Miller
128 E. Fremont St., 5-10 p.m. daily. 702.382.1600
Beers to You!
Hop Nuts
There’s some serious experimentation going on at Las Vegas Valley breweries, and that certainly holds true for Hop Nuts, a tap room that produces a mind-blowing variety of suds. Enjoy beers like Harry Porter, Green Mamba Double IPA and—in honor of our hockey team—the Golden Knight Belgian golden strong ale. –Ken Miller
1120 S. Main St., No. 150, noon-1 a.m., Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sun. 702.816.5371
