Robbie Bachman, the Bachman–Turner Overdrive drummer who powered the band’s biggest hits, including “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and “Takin’ Care of Business,” has died. He was 69.
Randy Bachman, the drummer’s brother and fellow bandmate, confirmed the news on Twitter Thursday night. “Another sad departure,” he wrote. “The beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie joined mum, dad and brother Gary on the other side. Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral part of our rock and roll machine and we rocked the world together.” Further details surrounding Robbie’s death have not yet been released.
Robbie and Randy started playing together as kids while growing up in Winnipeg, Canada. Eventually, guitarist Randy asked Robbie to become the drummer for his band Brave Belt, which he had formed with musician Chad Allen, Randy Bachman’s former Guess Who bandmate. Together, the group recorded two albums released in the early seventies before eventually adding middle brother Tim Bachmann on rhythm guitar and bassist S. Fred Turner and changing their name to Bachmann–Turner Overdrive.
Another sad departure. The beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie joined mum, dad and brother Gary on the other side. Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral part of our rock and roll machine and we rocked the world together. #RIP #littlebrother #family pic.twitter.com/XASj6CVXzA
— Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) January 13, 2023
Although their first self-titled album as Bachman–Turner Overdrive in 1973 wasn’t a huge hit upon its release—though it boasted the gem “Hold Back the Water,” featuring a rare co-writing credit for Robbie—they quickly found their true success with their second album later that year. The LP, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, featured their best-known song “Takin’ Care of Business” as well as the hit “Let It Ride.” Not Fragile followed in 1974 and with it another hit, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.”
The band continued to make music throughout the mid-1970s, releasing several albums before Randy Bachmann left the band in 1977 after the release of Freeways, leaving Robbie as the only Bachmann still in Overdrive.
BTO broke up briefly in 1979, but in 1983 the band reunited with Randy and Tim Bachman returning, but without Robbie; BTO’s self-titled 1984 semi-reunion album is the band’s only album to not feature Robbie on drums.
Trend
However, Robbie later joined Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1988, and when Randy left the band again in 1991, Robbie continued with “BTO” – the band’s legally agreed name when Randy wasn’t involved – until 2005. When Randy revived Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 2009, he was again without his younger brother.
In 2014, Bachman–Turner Overdrive were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Add Comment