BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE

Originally called Brave Belt, 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' (BTO) is a Canadian rock group from Winnipeg, Manitoba that enjoyed a string of hit albums and singles in the 1970s.

Contents

History

References

Awards and Recognition

Trivia

Recent Performances

Discography

Lineup

See also

External links

History

The precursor to BTO was the band Brave Belt, formed in 1970 by Randy Bachman-guitar and Chad Allan-keyboards/vocals (both of The Guess Who), Robbie Bachman-drums and C.F. "Fred" Turner-bass/vocals. An original plan included Keith Emerson of The Nice, though he was dropped due to illness. After two moderately successful Brave Belt albums, Allan was replaced by Tim Bachman, the third of the Bachman brothers, and the band changed its name to Bachman-Turner. Shortly afterward, Randy noticed a copy of a trucker's mazagine called ''Overdrive'' in a roadside restaurant, and the name Bachman-Turner Overdrive was born.
BTO released their eponymous self-titled first album in the spring of 1973. The album broke through in the US via border towns such as Detroit and Buffalo, but failed to produce a hit single.
On an interview track released with the Live BTO King Biscuit Flower Hour recording (1998), Randy proclaimed that the signing of BTO's first album was a stroke of luck. After the demo tape had been rejected by 26 labels, Bachman was prepared to tell the other band members that they would no longer be able to remain on salary, "and they had to go and get the dreaded day jobs."^[1] But in April of 1973, Charlie Fach of Mercury Records returned to his office (from a lengthy stay in France) to find a stack of unplayed demo tapes on his desk. Wanting to start fresh, he took a trash barrel and slid all the tapes into it -- except one, which missed the barrel and fell on the floor. Fach picked up the tape and noticed Bachman's name on it. He remembered talking to Bachman the previous year, and told him that if he ever put a demo together to send it. While playing the first song on the 7-1/2 inch reel ("Gimme Your Money Please"), Fach immediately called Bachman to tell him of his intention to sign the band.
Their second album, ''Bachman-Turner Overdrive II'', was released in December of the same year and became a massive hit in the US and their native Canada. It also yielded their best-remembered single, "Takin' Care of Business" written by Randy Bachman. BTO were one of the early hard rock bands which opted for songs backed by catchy melodies and powerful riffing. The band also promoted a straight-laced lifestyle due to the Mormon religious beliefs of Randy Bachman.
Tim Bachman left in early 1974 because of limited performance skills and personal lifestyle issues, and was replaced by Blair Thornton. The first album with the modified lineup, 1974's ''Not Fragile'', became a hit, including the #1 single "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and AOR favorite "Roll on Down the Highway". The band continued to steadily produce successful albums through the mid-1970s including ''Four Wheel Drive'' and ''Head On'' (both 1975).
After the release of ''Freeways'' in 1977, Randy Bachman left the group for a solo career and another band, Ironhorse. Randy was replaced by bassist/vocalist Jim Clench, formerly of April Wine. Original bassist Turner moved to rhythm guitar/vocals, with Thornton becoming the primary lead guitarist. This BTO lineup released a pair of albums (''Street Action'' - 1978 and ''Rock & Roll Nights'' - 1979) before breaking up.
BTO reunited in the 1980s, leading to a lawsuit between the brothers, as one group, led by Randy, toured as ''Bachman-Turner Overdrive'' and another, led by Robbie, toured as ''BTO'' (Robbie Bachman, Fred Turner, Blair Thornton, and Randy Murray). Interestingly enough in 1984 the line up for Bachman-Turner's first studio LP in 5 years consisted of Randy and Tim Bachman, Fred Turner and former Guess Who drummer Garry Peterson. In 1986 they were the opening band for the newly reformed Van Halen. By that time Fred Turner had left the band, probably to join the "other" BTO. Robbie Bachman's ''BTO'' toured and performed until December 2004. No further plans for the band to appear are currently known, so it would be a reasonable assumption that they have retired from live performances.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive's music lives on today, and continues to be featured in movies and in advertising campaigns. Randy Bachman recently published an autobiography, and "BTO" has been featured more than once in southern humorist Ed Williams' books. Bachman-Turner Overdrive has also been featured on an episode of ''The Simpsons'' titled "Saddlesore Galactica."

References

1. Randy Bachman, interview on ''King Biscuit: Bachman-Turner Overdrive'', (c) 1998, King Biscuit Flower Hour Records, Inc.

Awards and Recognition

★ 1974: Juno Award winner, Most Promising Group of the Year

★ 1975: Juno Award winner, Group of the Year

★ 1976: Juno Award winner, Group of the Year

★ 1978: Juno Award nomination, Group of the Year

Trivia

★ Randy Bachman pronounces his last name as BACK-man, not with the "ch" sound (as in J.S. Bach). However, realizing American DJs were never going to give up the incorrect pronunciation, he concedes that the BAND name is BACHman-Turner Overdrive while he is Randy BACKman. (Notice the misspelling of the band's name on the ticket pictured on this page, based on the Canadian pronunciation.) Randy's son Tal has dealt with the same problem in his recording career.

★ Their hit song 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet' is famously the favourite song of Smashie and Nicey. The "b-b-b-b-baby" in the vocals was inspired by one of the younger Bachman brothers (one NOT in the band), who had a stuttering problem.

★ Randy claims his guitar style -- which alternates seamlessly between heavy and jazzy -- is partly due to two influences: Leslie West (Mountain) and Wes Montgomery.

Recent Performances

Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings are currently touring together. Randy Bachman was on tour in 2005 with a group called Randy Bachman's Rock Thing. He has also released an album of original melodic jazz songs called ''Jazz Thing''.

Discography

★ ''Bachman-Turner Overdrive'' (1973)

★ ''Bachman-Turner Overdrive II'' (1973)

★ ''Not Fragile'' (1974)

★ ''Four Wheel Drive'' (1975)

★ ''Head On'' (1975)

★ ''Best of BTO (So Far)'' (1976)

★ ''BTO Live - Japan Tour'' (1977)

★ ''Freeways'' (1977)

★ ''Street Action'' (1978)

★ ''Rock n' Roll Nights'' (1979)

★ ''Bachman-Turner Overdrive'' (1984)

★ ''BTO's Greatest'' (1986)

★ ''BTO Anthology'' (1993)

★ ''Best of Bachman-Turner Overdrive Live'' (1994)

★ ''Trial By Fire - Greatest and Latest'' (1996)

★ '' (1998)

★ ''20th Century Masters'' (2000)

Lineup

'1973':

Randy Bachman - lead guitar, lead vocals

C. Fred Turner - bass, lead vocals

Tim Bachman - guitar, vocals

Rob Bachman - drums

'1974-77':

Randy Bachman - lead guitar, lead vocals

C. Fred Turner - bass, lead vocals

Blair Thornton - lead guitar, vocals

Rob Bachman - drums

'1978-79':

C. Fred Turner - guitar, lead vocals

Jim Clench - bass, lead vocals

Blair Thornton - lead guitar, vocals

Rob Bachman - drums

'1980's reunion':

Randy Bachman - lead guitar, lead vocals

C. Fred Turner - bass, lead vocals

Tim Bachman - guitar, vocals

Garry Peterson - drums

'1988-91':

C. Fred Turner - Lead Vocals, Bass

Randy Bachman - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals

Blair Thornton - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Robin Bachman - Drums

'1991-2004':

C. Fred Turner - Lead Vocals, Bass

Blair Thornton - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Robin Bachman - Drums

Randy Murray - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals

See also

★ Canadian rock

★ Music of Canada

★ List of bands from Canada

External links

★ Website for current version of the band, without Randy Bachman