<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Ul> <Li> file </Li> <Li> help </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> file </Li> <Li> help </Li> </Ul> <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> McGuire's single hit #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1965 . </P>

Who wrote the song on the eve of destruction