I was a commercial fisherman, and then became a licensed pipe fitter, and then started playing the guitar when I was 25 years old. NOTE>>> Click here to read about Barry's work (and hits) as a solo artist and with the New Christy Minstrels.
PFS ~ What circumstance led you to record Eve of Destruction? What did the song mean to you personally at that time?
When I left the Christys, I left looking for answers. I was in a kind of a spiritual, philosophical search at that time. We were going through the whole social question, turmoil of the day within ourselves. Why not do this? Why shouldn't we do that? How come we have to do this? Who says we gotta do that? And then we started to get down to, well, what is the basic ultimate truth, and what is life? What is the universe? Where did it come from? Where is it going? What's on the other side of death? What was on the backside of birth? 'Eve Of Destruction' was just a continuation down that road. At least I felt I could compile all the problems, and I thought that's what Phil (Sloan) did in the song. All the problems, but no answers. Unlike the cheery tunes of the Christys, "Eve of Destruction" was a grave, prophetic warning of imminent apocalypse. It was a song that expressed the frustrations and fears of young people in the age of the Cold War, Vietnam, and the arms race.
PFS ~ What was your response when you heard Jan & Dean had recorded it on their Folk & Roll album?PFS ~ What circumstance led you to record Eve of Destruction? What did the song mean to you personally at that time?
When I left the Christys, I left looking for answers. I was in a kind of a spiritual, philosophical search at that time. We were going through the whole social question, turmoil of the day within ourselves. Why not do this? Why shouldn't we do that? How come we have to do this? Who says we gotta do that? And then we started to get down to, well, what is the basic ultimate truth, and what is life? What is the universe? Where did it come from? Where is it going? What's on the other side of death? What was on the backside of birth? 'Eve Of Destruction' was just a continuation down that road. At least I felt I could compile all the problems, and I thought that's what Phil (Sloan) did in the song. All the problems, but no answers. Unlike the cheery tunes of the Christys, "Eve of Destruction" was a grave, prophetic warning of imminent apocalypse. It was a song that expressed the frustrations and fears of young people in the age of the Cold War, Vietnam, and the arms race.
I never knew they recorded it.
PFS ~ You worked with some of the best writers/producers/singers of the 60's - How about an insight or two ...
I met Phil Sloan when he was 19, I only just barely met Steve Barri once or twice, I didn't know Jan & Dean at all, I didn't know any of the Dunhill record family except for all the smoke they blew my way telling me how great I was until I stopped making money for them, then they didn't know me any more. NOTE>>> Click here to read an amazing story of Barry's role in the recording and release of California Dreamin'!
PFS ~ Did you have any contract with the Beach Boys?
No. I never knew the Beach Boys ... I loved "Help Me Rhonda" and "Good Vibrations."
PFS ~ You became a follower of Christ a few years after Eve of Destruction. Has your perspective of the song changed since then? How relevant is the song today?
No, my perspective has not changed. Tragically the song appears to be more relevant today back in the the summer of 65 when I recorded it. I still sing it at every concert.
PFS ~Which of your many albums, subsequent to your conversion, best exemplify your worldview?
Pilgrim - it was an independent production that no-one wanted to distribute, but it's available on my website music store. NOTE>>> Click here to view Barry's music inventory.
PFS ~ Are you currently recording? touring?
Yes, I do about 50 concerts a year. I just signed a contract with the New Christy Minstrels to do 120 concerts with them over the next eighteen months, 90 in the US and 30 overseas. We're recording three albums, a Christmas album, A Christys Biggest Hits album, and an album of new songs that have just been written. Also I'm working with Terry Talbot putting together a show featuring all the songs that my friends did in the sixties.
I'm also re-recording Eve of Destruction in three different genres, folk-rock, hard-rock and hip-hop.
And I just recorded two new songs, and anti-tobacco tune called "Hakk n Koff" that has a school curriculum that goes along with it and "I Pledge Allegiance" and they'll both be out early next year.
PFS ~ Barry, I know you believe in the reality of prayer - Would you write a prayer for someone who wonders if we are on the eve of destruction ...
Phil, reality is my prayer, and I firmly believe that ultimately every tongue will confess and every knee will bow confessing Christ as Lord before God. Blessings, Barry
>>Visit http://www.PrayForSurf.net for more "stuff"
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