Bachman–Turner Overdrive, often abbreviated BTO, are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, founded by three brothers: Randy Bachman, Robbie Bachman, Tim Bachman; and Fred Turner in 1973. Their 1970s catalogue included seven top-40 albums (five in the US) and 11 top-40 singles in Canada (six in the US). In Canada they have six certified platinum albums and one certified gold album; in the US they have five certified gold albums and one certified platinum album. The band has sold nearly 30 million albums worldwide and has fans affectionately known as “gearheads” (derived from the band’s gear-shaped logo). Many of their songs, including “Let It Ride”, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”, “Takin’ Care of Business”, “Hey You” and “Roll on Down the Highway”, still receive regular play on classic rock stations.
The original line-up consisted of Randy Bachman (lead guitar, lead vocals), Fred Turner (bass guitar, lead vocals), Tim Bachman (guitar, vocals) and Robbie Bachman (drums, percussion, backing vocals). This line-up released two albums in 1973. The second and most commercially successful line-up featured Blair Thornton (lead guitar), in place of Tim Bachman. This line-up released four albums between 1974 and 1977, including two that reached the top 5 in the U.S. pop charts, as well as the band’s only U.S. No. 1 single (“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”). Subsequent line-ups enjoyed only moderate success.
After the band went into a hiatus in 2005, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner reunited in 2009 to tour and collaborate on a new album. In 2010 they played the halftime show at the Grey Cup in Edmonton. The two stopped touring following Turner’s amicable retirement in March 2018.On March 29, 2014, the classic Not Fragile line-up reunited for the first time since 1991 to mark Bachman–Turner Overdrive’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and participated in a tribute performance of “Taking Care of Business”. On January 12, 2023, drummer and co-founder Robbie Bachman died at age 69, followed three months later by his brother, rhythm guitarist Tim on April 28, 2023.On June 29, 2023, Randy Bachman and the new official Bachman–Turner Overdrive website announced BTO was back on tour. This version of BTO is led by Randy Bachman, with Fred Turner playing select dates. The rest of the group is made up of Randy’s son, Tal Bachman, and Randy’s solo touring outfit (who also made up the backing band for Bachman & Turner).
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