"Eve of Destruction '' is a protest song written by P.F. Sloan in mid-1964. Several artists have recorded it, but the best - known recording was by Barry McGuire. This recording was made between July 12 and July 15, 1965 and released by Dunhill Records. The accompanying musicians were top - tier LA session players: P.F. Sloan on guitar, Hal Blaine (of Phil Spector 's "Wrecking Crew '') on drums, and Larry Knechtel on bass. The vocal track was thrown on as a rough mix and was not intended to be the final version, but a copy of the recording "leaked '' out to a DJ, who began playing it. The song was an instant hit and as a result the more polished vocal track that was at first envisioned was never recorded.
who wrote the song on the eve of destruction
P.F. Sloan P.F. Sloan