When Chad Allan and the Expressions, having achieved some success with a cover of "Shakin' All Over" in the band's native Canada, released a full-length album, the record company wanted to create a buzz.
Maybe buyers would snatch up the album if an air of secrecy surrounded the band. Maybe they even would think the album came from a famous British Invasion band. After all, the music was similar.
Consequently, the album's cover listed the band's name as "Guess Who?" That became the band's name.
The current manifestation of the Canadian Invasion band plays at Jackson Rancheria tonight.
It took the Guess Who a few more albums to break into the United States market. The band's third album, "Wheatfield Soul," yielded the hit "These Eyes." But the band did not become big here until the title track from its 1970 album "American Woman" hit No. 1. It is largely because of the immense popularity of that song that the Guess Who continues to perform today.
The current lineup consists of drummer Garry Peterson and bassist Jim Kale, who are original members, and lead guitarist Laurie MacKenzie, keyboardist Leonard Shaw and lead vocalist Derek Sharp. (7 p.m.; $40; JacksonCasino.com)
Less clothing, more magic
The success of the film "Magic Mike" has helped attendance figures of male strip revues such as the Chippendales and Thunder from Down Under, the latter of which arrives at Jackson Rancheria Thursday.
Thunder is usually far more playful than erotic, with its penchant for presenting not only the standards of the genre, like military men and police officers, but a few more up-to-date offerings. A disrobing Jack Sparrow, anyone? (7 p.m.; $40).
If Thunder fans are still unsatiated, note that the troupe will be at the Atlantis in Reno Oct. 26 and 27 (8 p.m.; $35 in advance, $39 day of performance; 775-824-4467).
On Saturday, the Atlantis hosts the Society of 7, the Hawaiian group that has become one of the hotel's most popular attractions.
The Society is one of very few remaining "show bands" that dominated the cabaret circuits of the 1960s and 1970s. Most show bands disbanded as the small showrooms became fewer. The formula was a simple one plenty of covers (particularly of Broadway hits), broad comedy and superior musicianship, with most performers playing multiple instruments (8 p.m.; $40 advance, $45 at the door; 775-824-4467).
Out and about
Still famous as one of the most prominent ranchera singers of all time, Yolanda Del Rio sings Saturday at Cache Creek (8 p.m.; $35, $45, $55; cachecreek.com).
Cache Creek also has announced a series of free concerts with top Asian talents this fall. An autumn Vietnamese concert, "Lai Mot Mua Thu Den," will play twice on Oct. 20 (8 and 10:30 p.m.); Korean singer Hye Eun Yee performs Nov. 10 (8 p.m.); and Thai and Lao entertainer Jintara Poularp is set for Dec. 2 (6 p.m.). Tickets will be distributed at 6 p.m. the day of each concert (3 p.m. for Poularp) at the guest- services counter on a first-come, first-served basis. Showgoers must have a Cache Creek card.
Catch a Rising Star, the comedy club at the Silver Legacy, has added the popular Dueling Pianos to its lineup following the headliner (10 p.m. to 2 a.m.) on Friday and Saturday nights (free).
CASINO GUIDE
Boomtown, Reno Events Center: Juice Newton, Saturday. (800) 648-3790.
Carson Valley Inn
Cabaret Lounge: After Dark, today-Saturday; George Pickard, Tuesday-Wednesday; Felix and the Soul Cats, Thursday-Oct. 20. (775) 782-9711.
Eldorado, Reno
Showroom: "Jersey Nights," through Nov. 13. (800) 648-5966.
Harrah's Reno
Sammy's Showroom: The Magic of Eli Kerr, next Friday-Oct. 20. Comedy at the Zone: Rick D'Elia, today-Saturday. (800) 427-7247.
Harrah's Lake Tahoe
South Shore Room: Dave Mason, Saturday (800) 427-7247.
Horizon, Lake Tahoe Illusion Fusion starring Alex Ramon, Thursdays-Tuesdays. (775) 588-6211.
Silver Legacy, Reno
Grande Exposition Hall: Jay Leno, next Friday. Reno Events Center: Carrie Underwood, today. (800) 687-8733.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
Read more articles by Mel Shields


About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.