Bachman–Turner Overdrive
Bachman–Turner Overdrive | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | B.T.O. Brave Belt(1971-1972) |
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
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| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | Bachman & Turner |
| Spinoff of | Brave Belt |
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| Past members |
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| Website | www |
Bachman–Turner Overdrive, often abbreviated as BTO, is a Canadian rock band formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1971 under its original name "Brave Belt" by brothers Randy Bachman, Robbie Bachman, and Tim Bachman, along with their friend Fred Turner. 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 over 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 five on the US pop charts, as well as the band's only US number-one single ("You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet").
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 continued to work together until Turner retired from music in 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 (aged 71).
On June 29, 2023, Randy Bachman announced that Bachman–Turner Overdrive would reunite to tour once again, with Turner making appearances on select dates. The rest of the group is made up of Bachman's son, Tal, as well as his backing band used for solo tours and Bachman and Turner.