After almost 10 years with The Guess Who, Cummings left in 1975 to launch a solo career. Though The Guess Who was formed by Chad Allen, Cummings took over in 1966 as that group's pianist and front person. With Cummings at the helm, he had taken them to the top of the music scene in both Canada and the US, (and later, the rest of the world), with hits like "These Eyes," "No Time," "American Woman," "Undone," and many others.
After a couple of false starts with his own solo career and post-Guess Who bands, Randy Bachman had finally gone platinum in 1973 with Bachman-Turner Overdrive. This success motivated Cummings to head out on his own. Riding the success of The Guess Who, he had a Top 10 smash hit with ballad, "Stand Tall," which encompassed Burton's strong baritone voice, even if the song was a little sappy.
Cummings continues to be a massive star in Canada, and with Randy Bachman, has reformed The Guess Who for a number of tours. He also tours with Bachman as a duo.