Chit-Chat with drummer Garry Peterson: The Guess Who plays for young and mature rockers at Arcada Theatre

Guess Who is coming to St. Charles.

That’s more of a statement than a question.

The Canadian rock band The Guess Who — with band members Garry Peterson (drummer), Jim Kale (bass and vocals), Leonard Shaw (keyboard, flute, sax and vocals) and Derek Sharp and Laurie MacKenzie (both guitars and vocals) — is returning to the Arcada Theatre for a performance on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Peterson, an original member of the 47-year-old band, believes technology has aided the band in gaining new, young fans, calling the Internet “a new delivery system for music.”

The Guess Who. SUBMITTED PHOTO

You’re an original member of The Guess Who. What made you stick with the band all these years?
When the band first broke up, I went into the legitimate business world... When you spend so much time invested with the band and its music, it feels like a waste to let it all go by the wayside. It was kind of a no-brainer after I thought about it for a while.

What do you think accounts for the band’s longevity?
It’s up to the public on whether they like your music. They’re really the ones that dictate how long you do this... (Because of technology) we’ve picked up a whole generation of younger fans who listen to our music. Our audience ranges from 7 to 70 years old. It’s quite a demographic.

Are there other ways technology has aided the band?
I think with the material... Today, we’re actually doing the same songs from our early years better than we’ve ever done. With new technology, we’re playing the songs truer to their original version. It’s a new reason for us to make music. 

Do you have any memories of playing in the area?
We recorded some of our music at RCA Records in Chicago, and we used to play all of the suburbs in our formative years. I don’t think the recording company is still on Wacker, but that was where we recorded “American Woman.” Chicago has always been a second home to us. We did a lot of fun work there. 

What has the band been up to recently?
We’re starting to put together new material. That’s hard to do for a band from our era... but now there’s downloads on the Internet. The artist, if he wants to invest in themselves, can post their own music to the public. We’re in a whole new era to deliver pop music to the public. It’s a new delivery system for music. I, for one, think it’s great... We’re still touring and entertaining audiences. We do between 45 to 50 dates a year. Actually, we’ve already got 15 dates booked for next year. We’re kind of ahead ourselves from last year.

HEAR THEM PLAY
WHAT The Guess Who
WHERE Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles; (630) 587-8400, www.oshows.com
WHEN 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
HOW MUCH $49