<P> `` 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 . </P>
<P> `` 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 . </P>
who wrote the song on the eve of destruction
who wrote the song on the eve of destruction
P.F. Sloan
P.F. Sloan