Robbie Bachman obit

Robbie Bachman, Drummer of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Dead at 69

Bachman co-founded the band alongside his brothers Randy and Tim, as well as Fred Turner

 

He was not on the list.

Robbie Bachman, co-founding member and drummer of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, has died at the age of 69.

Randy Bachman announced the death of his brother and bandmate in a social media post: “Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side. Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock ‘n’ roll machine and we rocked the world together.”

Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s core lineup consisted of Randy and Robbie Bachman and Fred Turner, following a previous run under the band name Brave Belt (which Randy formed after he quit The Guess Who). Another Bachman brother, Tim, was also a founding member of BTO, but was replaced after a couple of years by Blair Thornton.

During their heyday in the 1970s, BTO released several hit albums, including 1974’s chart-topping Not Fragile. Among the Canadian band’s most popular hits are the ubiquitous “Takin’ Care of Business,” the No. 1 single “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” and their breakthrough single “Let It Ride.” Another one of their memorable tunes, “Roll On Down the Highway,” which Robbie co-wrote, peaked at No. 14 in the US.

After BTO disbanded in early 1980, Robbie didn’t return to the band when they reunited in 1983 due to business conflicts with Randy and the other members. However, he did come back in 1988 and remained with the band until 2005.

Bachman was semi-retired following BTO's last live shows in 2004. He was the uncle of musician Tal Bachman.

While growing up, Bachman practiced the drums at home, often playing along with his older brother Randy. When Robbie was age 18, Randy offered him the Brave Belt drumming job, and Robbie accepted. Other members of Brave Belt were Chad Allan and Fred Turner. In 1972, another Bachman brother, Tim, joined Brave Belt after the departure of Allan.

When Brave Belt changed their name to Bachman–Turner Overdrive in 1973, Robbie was credited with designing the BTO 'gear' logo. Robbie co-wrote (with Fred Turner) one of Bachman–Turner Overdrive's biggest hits, "Roll On down the Highway" (Billboard No. 14 in 1975). He remained with BTO until late 1979, after their tour supporting the 1979 album Rock n' Roll Nights had ended. In 1984, he declined to join a reformation of BTO due to licensing issues and Randy Bachman's decision to include Tim Bachman as the second guitarist, instead of Blair Thornton. Bachman later rejoined the Not Fragile line up of BTO for a reunion lasting from 1988 until 1991. In 1991, Randy Bachman left the band and the rest of the group, with replacement guitarist Randy Murray, toured until the end of 2004.

In 2009, Fred Turner and Randy Bachman reunited and began recording a new album, which was released in September 2010 under the name "Bachman & Turner" to coincide with a world tour. Robin Bachman and Blair Thornton had brought a lawsuit against Randy Bachman in an effort to prevent him and Turner from touring under the Bachman–Turner Overdrive or BTO name.