BTO (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) Frequently Asked Questions
Archive-name: music/bto-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 1997/07/31
Version: 1.02
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FAQ
DISCLAIMER
This article is Copyright 1997 by Peter Gormley. It may be freely
redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not
removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial
documents without the written permission of the copyright holder.
Permission is expressly granted for this document to be made available for
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transfer on the Internet.
This article is provided as is without any express or implied
warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the
accuracy of the information contained in this article, the
author and contributors assume no responsibility for errors or
omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information
contained herein.
The contents of this article reflect my opinions only and not
necessarily those of my employer.
Suggestions, corrections, additions, omissions, etc. are encouraged.
Email me at:
pgorm...@kodak.com (Peter Gormley)
I have been a fan of Bachman-Turner Overdrive since 1973, and have decided
to put together a BTO FAQ. Hopefully this document will be a valuable
resource for fans of the band, as well as a useful introduction for those
who are unfamiliar with them.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This FAQ is NOT supported by Robin Bachman of BTO. In short, he believes
the references used to create it are slanted against the current BTO. I
gave him the opportunity to correct any mistakes he found, but he refused
to take me up on the offer. Full details of this can be found at the
former home of the official BTO Fan Page:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/5609/bto.html
BTO has been together in one form or another for better than two decades,
and continue to tour and make great rock and roll.
To all current and former members of BTO:
"Thank You For The Feelin'"!
#Date #Version #Comments
07.31.97 1.02 Various updates, including #17 guitar
info.
05.30.97 1.01 Disclaimer update, note added, tracks
added.
05.01.97 1.00 Creation.
FAQ CONTENTS
TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS...
1. Origins of BTO
2. BTO Lineups
3. Before BTO
ROCK IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS MY SONG...
1. BTO Discography
2. Related Discography
3. BTO Books
4. BTO Awards
YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET...
1. 1996 Tour Set List
2. So who came up with the BTO logo?
3. What's the connection between BTO and Elvis Presley?
4. What was so unusual about Blair's first performance with BTO?
5. What's the story behind "Takin' Care Of Business"?
6. Who played piano on "Takin' Care Of Business"?
7. What was the original title of the BTO II album?
8. Why does Randy stutter in the vocal of "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"?
9. What's the story behind the 'Four Wheel Drive' album?
10. Did Little Richard ever play with BTO?
11. Why did Tim Bachman leave BTO in 1974?
12. Why did Randy leave BTO in 1977?
13. Why does Jamaica on the 'Rock 'n Roll Nights' album sound familiar?
14. Are there any websites devoted to BTO or Randy Bachman?
15. What is Tim Bachman up to?
16. What was unusual about the original 'Head On' album cover format?
17. Who played the different guitar parts on the first two albums?
18. What's different about "Hold Back The Water" on 'Trial By Fire'.
19. Is there a fan club for BTO?
****************TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS...********************
1. Origins of BTO
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish and
liner notes to 'The Anthology' cd by Larry LeBlanc. Info also
provided by Robin Bachman]
Randy Bachman decided to leave the Guess Who in 1970. In 1971 he
produced an album for Chad Allen, the original Guess Who singer. The
album was released under the title "Brave Belt". The band consisted
of Randy, Chad, and Randy's brother Robin on drums. The record label
wanted them to tour, so Randy recruited bass player C.F. Turner from
the D-Drifters. Brave Belt's sound was described as "country-rock".
In 1972, Brave Belt recorded a second album, 'Brave Belt II'. This
had a harder sound than the first, with many of the songs featuring C.F.
Turner's vocals. The band was moving toward a harder rock sound, and
it was at this time that Chad Allen left Brave Belt.
Brave Belt toured as a trio for a while, but found it to be too
restrictive, and added Bachman brother Tim as a second guitarist. They
financed and recorded a third album, and decided to change their name
given their new musical direction. The band came up with 'Bachman-Turner
Overdrive' after seeing a copy of the trucker magazine 'Overdrive'
while on tour. They felt that the new name described their new hard rock
sound very well.
The band managed to secure a deal with Mercury records after submitting
a tape of their music. The new name was shortened to BTO, as the label
feared DJ's would not say or remember their name because it was too long.
2. Members of BTO - Current and Former
The Current Lineup (1991 - present):
C.F. Turner Bass and Lead Vocals
Robin Bachman Drums and Percussion
Blair Thornton Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Randy Murray Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Former Lineups of BTO:
1988 - 1991
Randy Bachman Guitar and Lead Vocals
C.F. Turner Bass and Lead Vocals
Tim Bachman Guitar, Vocals
Robin Bachman Drums and Percussion
1983 - 1987
Randy Bachman Guitar and Lead Vocals
C.F. Turner Bass and Lead Vocals
Tim Bachman Guitar, Vocals
Garry Peterson Drums and Percussion
Billy Chapman Piano (on tour)
1978 - 1980
C.F. Turner Guitar and Lead Vocals
Robin Bachman Drums and Percussion
Blair Thornton Guitar, Vocals
Jim Clench Bass, Vocals
1974 - 1977
Randy Bachman Guitar and Lead Vocals
C.F. Turner Bass and Lead Vocals
Robin Bachman Drums and Percussion
Blair Thornton Guitar, Vocals
1972 - 1974
Randy Bachman Guitar and Lead Vocals
C.F. Turner Bass and Lead Vocals
Tim Bachman Guitar, Vocals
Robin Bachman Drums and Percussion
3. Before BTO
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
C.F. Turner
C.F. Turner played in 14 or 15 Winnipeg groups before he joined Brave
Belt. He remembers always believing he would make it. "I never stopped
thinking that there was a chance. Right from the start, in every group
that I was in, I always felt there was a chance."
One group he had a lot of faith in was 'The Pink Plum'. "The guys were
young - I was the oldest. As I was of signing age, I signed for most of
equipment and stuff. I figured these guys were really into it, but we
only hung together for about eight months. Some things were happening for
us and some things were'nt, but then the guys just said 'Oh well. I've
had enough of this. It's time to do something else.' It wasn't the
security so much, it was just that they were getting disheartened because
it was taking too long."
It was while C.F. was a member of the Winnipeg group 'The D-Drifters'
that the Brave Belt offer came from Randy Bachman. The D-Drifters did not
do original material, and had rejected many of C.F.'s songs because of
that, so C.F. jumped at the new opportunity.
Robin Bachman
Robin Bachman had practiced at home with his brother Randy, and
played in several Winnipeg rock bands. Randy offered him the Brave
Belt drumming job, and Robin accepted.
Blair Thornton
Blair Thornton grew up in Vancouver. The city didn't have much of a
music scene, but Blair learned how to play guitar and played in several
local bands. In the early 1970's he landed a job with the Vancouver band
'Crosstown Bus', which had an album out on MCA. Blair spent some time
with them playing the Vancouver club and bar circuit.
He also closely followed the career of Randy Bachman through the
Guess Who and BTO. Blair would go see BTO when they played in Vancouver,
and a couple of times he even jammed with the band. When Tim Bachman
decided to leave BTO in 1974, the band's manager Bruce Allen called Blair
and asked him if he'd like to join.
Randy Murray
Randy Murray is the newest member of BTO. From 1989 to 1992 he taught
music, did custom recording and had a radio talk show in Prince George,
B.C. From the late 70's to 1989 Randy was a fixture on the B.C./Alberta
music scene. Among his accomplishments:
1988 - Formed the Surreal McCoys, a classic rock band who were resident
at Vancouver's Roxy club.
1987/1988 - Toured with Tim Bachman, performing BTO tunes.
1985 - Released the EP "Warm Hands/Cold Heart" under the name VOXPHANTOM.
1984 to 1989 - Collaborated with Dave Reimer in the INVADERS, a classic
rock band.
Early 80's - Member of DAVID RAVEN, who released an EP on the Radioactive
label.
Randy Bachman
Randy was a founding member of 'The Guess Who', one of the most
successful rock bands of the 1960's. He was with the Guess Who until 1970,
and during that time the band rang up several major hits, among them
"These
Eyes", "Laughing", "Undun", "No Time", and "American Woman".
In 1970, Randy decided to leave the Guess Who. Following his departure
from the Guess Who, an instrumental album he had recorded - "Axe" - was
released. Next, Randy produced and played guitar for 'Noah' on their album
"Peaceman's Farm". The Noah project was followed by a producing job for
old Guess Who buddy Chad Allen, which was the project that grew into Brave
Belt.
Tim Bachman
Tim Bachman had played guitar with his brother Robin in several Winnpeg
rock bands. At the time of Brave Belt, he had stopped playing because he
felt the Winnipeg scene was stagnant. But when offered the Brave Belt gig,
he accepted, quitting his job and college.
Jim Clench
Before his stint with BTO, Jim played bass guitar and sang in the
Canadian rock group April Wine.
***********ROCK IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS MY SONG...**************
1. BTO Discography
BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE LP: Mercury SRM-1-673 1973
CD: Mercury 838 196-2
Gimme Me Your Money Please
Hold Back The Water
Blue Collar
Little Gandy Dancer
Stayed Awake All Night
Down And Out Man
Don't Get Yourself In Trouble
Thank You For The Feelin'
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Tim Bachman
BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE II LP: Mercury SRM-1-696 1973
CD: Mercury 822 504-2
Blown
Welcome Home
Stonegates
Let It Ride
Give It Time
Tramp
I Don't Have To Hide
Takin' Care Of Business
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Tim Bachman
NOT FRAGILE LP: Mercury SRM-1-1004 1974
CD: Mercury 830 178-2
(There was also a Quadraphonic version of this album released)
Not Fragile
Rock Is My Life, And This Is My Song
Roll On Down The Highway
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Free Wheelin'
Sledgehammer
Blue Moanin'
Second Hand
Givin' It All Away
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LP: Mercury SRM-1-1027 1975
CD: Mercury 830 970-2
(There was also a Quadraphonic version of the album released)
Four Wheel Drive
She's A Devil
Hey You
Flat Broke Love
She's Keepin' Time
Quick Change Artist
Lowland Fling
Don't Let The Blues Get You Down
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton
HEAD ON LP: Mercury SRM-1-1067 1975
CD: Mercury 838-197-2 (out of print)
Find Out About Love
It's Over
Average Man
Woncha Take Me For A While
Wild Spirit
Take It Like A Man
Lookin' Out For #1
Away From Home
Stay Alive
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton
DOWN TO THE LINE 45 RPM SINGLE: Mercury 73724 1975
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton
BEST OF BTO (SO FAR) LP: Mercury 1976
CASS: 4228-22786-4
Roll On Down The Highway
Hey You
Lookin' Out For #1
Gimme Your Money Please
Let It Ride
Take It Like A Man
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Blue Collar
Takin' Care Of Business
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton,
Tim Bachman
FREEWAYS LP: Mercury SRM-1-3700 1977
CD: Mercury 838 199-2 (out of print)
Can We All Come Together
Life Still Goes On (I'm Lonely)
Shotgun Rider
Just For You
My Wheels Won't Turn
Down, Down
Easy Groove
Freeways
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton
JAPAN TOUR LP: Mercury SRM-1-1143 1977 (Japan & Europe only)
Roll On Down The Highway
Hold Back The Water
Welcome Home
Don't Get Yourself In Trouble
Four Wheel Drive
Takin' Care Of Business
Slow Down Boogie
Thank You-Domo
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton
STREET ACTION LP: Mercury SRM-1-3713 1978
CD: Mercury 838 200-2 (out of print)
I'm In Love
Down The Road
Takes A Lot Of People
A Long Time For A Little While
Street Action
For Love
Madison Avenue
You're Gonna Miss Me
The World Is Waiting For A Love Song
Personnel: C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton, Jim Clench
ROCK N'ROLL NIGHTS LP: Mercury SRM-1-3748 1979
CD: Mercury 838 201-2 (out of print)
Jamaica
Heartaches
Heaven Tonight
Rock And Roll Nights
Wastin' Time
Here She Comes Again
End Of The Line
Rock And Roll Hell
Amelia Earhart
Personnel: C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton, Jim Clench
BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE LP: MCA/CURB 1984
CD: Sun 15072-7027-2
For The Weekend
Just Look At Me Now
My Sugaree
City's Still Growin'
Another Fool
Lost In A Fantasy
Toledo
Service With A Smile
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Tim Bachman, Garry Peterson
LIVE-LIVE-LIVE LP: MCA/CURB 1986
CD: CURB D2-77328
(This is now available as ALL TIME GREATEST HITS LIVE. It was recorded
in Tallahassee, Fla. and Detroit, Mi.)
Hey You
Mississippi Queen
Sledgehammer
Fragile Man
Bad News Travels Fast
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Roll On Down The Highway
Takin' Care Of Business
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Tim Bachman, Garry Peterson
Billy Chapman
GREATEST HITS CD: Polydor 830 039-2 1987
Lookin' Out For #1
Roll On Down The Highway
Hey You
Freeways
Takin' Care Of Business
Down Down
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Let It Ride
Flat Broke Love
Can We All Come Together
Rock And Roll Nights
Jamaica
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton,
Tim Bachman, Jim Clench
YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET CD: Polygram 838 165-2 198?
(tracks coming)
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton,
Tim Bachman
THE ANTHOLOGY CD: Mercury 314 514 902-2 1993
The Letter* You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
I Think You Better Slow Down/ Not Fragile***
Slow Down Boogie* Rock Is My Life And This Is My Song***
Hold Back The Water Roll On Down The Highway
Blue Collar Four Wheel Drive
Gimme Your Money Please Hey You
Stayed Awake All Night** Flat Broke Love***
Thank You For The Feelin' Don't Let The Blues Get You Down
Takin' Care Of Business Find Out About Love
Give It Time It's Over
Welcome Home Take It Like A Man
Let It Ride Lookin' Out For #1
Free Wheelin'*** Down To The Line
Sledgehammer Don't Get Yourself In Trouble****
Blue Moanin' Shotgun Rider
I'm In Love
Heartaches
* previously unreleased
** unreleased version
*** quad mix
**** live version
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton,
Tim Bachman, Jim Clench
BEST OF LIVE CD: Curb D2-776553 1994
(The version of TCB on this cd is the same as on 'All Time Greatest
Hits Live'. It appears that CURB decided to gather together another
batch of songs from the same tour and release them as 'Best Of'. There
are spelling errors, song title mistakes, and sequence errors in the
liner notes. However, this is still a worthwhile purchase, as this cd
combined with 'ATGHL' combine to make a 17 song double live cd of the
mid 80's tour.)
Takin' Care Of Business
Blue Collar
Gimme Your Money Please
American Woman
Rock Is My Life (And This Is My Song)
Shakin' All Over
4 Wheel Drive
Weekends (This is actually 'For The Weekend')
Not Fragile
Let It Ride
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Tim Bachman, Garry Peterson
ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY CD: KARUSSEL 550-421-2 1996 (European import)
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Roll On Down The Highway
Lookin' Out For #1
Heartaches
Stayed Awake All Night
Just For You
Down And Out Man
Blue Collar
Hey You
My Wheels Won't Turn
Takin' Care Of Business
Stonegates
Not Fragile
Away From Home
Life Still Goes On (I'm Lonely)
Take It Like A Man
Shotgun Rider
Sledgehammer
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton,
Tim Bachman, Jim Clench
TRIAL BY FIRE CD: CMC CD92007 1996 (European import)
(This GREAT new BTO cd contains 5 rocking new songs, along with
reworkings of many of the old favorites. -Peter)
House Of The Rising Sun
Roll On Down The Highway
Trial By Fire
Hold Back The Water
Blue Collar
Gimme Your Money Please
Let It Ride
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Not Fragile
Hey You
Take It Like A Man
Nothin' Comes Easy
Testify
Four Wheel Drive
A Sense Of Danger
Personnel: C.F. Turner, Robin Bachman, Blair Thornton, Randy Murray
2. Related Discography
BRAVE BELT LP: Reprise RS 6447 1971
Crazy Arms, Crazy Eyes
Lifetime
Waitin' There For Me
I Am The Man
French Kiss
It's Over
Rock And Roll Band
Wandering Fantasy Girl
I Wouldn't Trade My Guitar For A Woman
Holy Train
Anyday Means Tomorrow
Scarecrow
Personnel: Randy Bachman, Robin Bachman, Chad Allen
BRAVE BELT II LP: Reprise RS MS 2047 1972
(This was also released later under the title 'Bachman Turner Overdrive
as Brave Belt')
Too Far Away
Dunrobin's Gone
Can You Feel It
Put It In A Song
Summer Soldier
Goodbye, Soul Shy
Never Comin' Home
Be A Good Man
Long Way 'Round
Another Way Out
Waterloo County
Personnel: Randy Bachman, Robin Bachman, C.F. Turner, Chad Allen
IRONHORSE - IRONHORSE LP: Scotti Brothers 1979
One And Only
Sweet Lui-Louise
Jump Back In The Night
You Gotta Let Go
Tumbleweed
Stateline Blues
Watch Me Fly
Old Fashioned
She's Got It
There Ain't No Cure
Personnel: Randy Bachman, Tom Sparks, John Peirce, Mike Baird
IRONHORSE - EVERYTHING IS GREY LP: Scotti Brothers 1980
Everything Is Grey
What's Your Hurry Darlin'
Symphony
Only Way To Fly
Try A Little Harder
I'm Hurtin' Inside
Playin' That Same Old Song
Railroad Love
Somewhere, Somewhere
Keep Your Motor Running
Personnel: Randy Bachman, Frank Ludwig, Ron Foos, Chris Leighton
UNION - ON STRIKE LP: Portrait 1981
Mainstreet U.S.A.
Next Stop London
Stay Away From The Honky Tonks
Care Of Me
Keep The Summer Alive
On Strike
Texas Cannonball
Pacific Northwest Blues
Invitation
All Night Long
Personnel: Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Frank Ludwig, Chris Leighton
RANDY BACHMAN - ANY ROAD CD: Guitar 9714-99406-2 1992
Prairie Town
Any Road
I Wanna Shelter You
Overworked And Underpaid
15 Minutes Of Fame
Tailspin
Vanishing Heroes
One Step Ahead Of The Law
It's Only Money
One Night In Texas
Why Am I Lonely
Prairie Town
RANDY BACHMAN BAND - BOB'S GARAGE LIVE CD: Ranbach RBSK 1006 1994
No Time
You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet
No Sugar Tonight
Takin' Care Of Business
American Woman
RANDY BACHMAN - MERGE CD: True North TNSD 0117 1996
Born To Ride
There Ain't Nothin' Like It
Bad News Travels Fast
I Play The Fool For You
Nothin's Gonna Bring You Down
Anthem: For The Young
Please Come To Paris
No Reason To Cry
Can't Go Back To Memphis
Burnin' Up The Floor
Made In Canada
That's Ok [This is a hidden, uncredited track]
STARRY STARRY NIGHT CD: 1996
This is a compilation of Christmas music by artists from the Manitoba
area. Both BTO and Randy Bachman contribute songs:
BTO Little Drummer Boy
Randy Bachman Taking Care Of Christmas
More info is available at:
http://www.xpressnet.com/starry/
4. BTO Books
BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE: ROCK IS MY LIFE THIS IS MY SONG
The Authorized Biography by Martin Melhuish
Copyright 1976 by Methuen Publications
ISBN USA 0 8467 0104 9
ISBN Canada 0 458 91730 3
This book came out at the height of BTO's popularity. It has a lot of
great pictures, interesting interviews with the band, a discography
through 'Four Wheel Drive', and a list of BTO's achievements and
awards. This book is no longer in print.
Music Books
THE RANDY BACHMAN COLLECTION
Featuring songs from Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Guess Who
Copyright 1994 by Hal Leonard Corporation
ISBN 0 7935 3288 4
This book features guitar tablature to 21 Randy Bachman, BTO and Guess
Who songs. There are also pictures of Randy at various stages of his
career.
BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE
Piano/Vocal/Chords
Copyright 1974 by Screen Gems-Columbia Publications
This is a non-tablature music book of the first three BTO albums. It is
no longer in print.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
Piano/Vocal/Organ/Chords
Copyright 1975 by Screen Gems-Columbia Publications
This is a non-tablature music book of the Four Wheel Drive album. It is
no longer in print.
HEAD ON
Piano/Vocal/Organ/Chords
Copyright 1976 by Screen Gems-Columbia Publications
This is a non-tablature music book of the Head On album. It is no longer
in print.
5. BTO Awards
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
Here are just some of the many awards BTO won during the 1970's.
Juno Awards
1974 - Most Promising New Group
Contemporay Album Of The Year (BTO I)
1975 - Best Group
Best Selling Album (Not Fragile)
Best Producer (Randy Bachman)
Album and Single Awards
BTO (LP)
Canadian Gold, Canadian Platinum
US Gold
BTO II (LP)
Canadian Gold, Canadian Platinum
US Gold, US Platinum
NOT FRAGILE (LP)
Canadian Gold, Canadian Platinum
US Gold, US Platinum
Swedish Gold
South African Gold
Australian Gold
New Zealand Gold
U.K. Silver
NARM - Best selling album by a group (1975)
YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET (45)
Canadian Gold
US Gold
South African Gold
U.K.Silver
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (LP)
Canadian Gold, Canadian Platinum
US Gold
************YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET...*****************
1. 1996 Tour Set List
I finally got to see BTO live in 1996. They did not disappoint, putting
on an exciting and enjoyable high energy rock and roll show. Hopefully
they'll be back in 1997! Here is the set list from their Boston concert
of 8.10.96
Let It Ride
Take It Like A Man
Hold Back The Water
Gimme Me Your Money Please
Hey You
Blue Collar
Not Fragile
Don't Get Yourself In Trouble
House Of The Rising Sun
Four Wheel Drive (with Robin drum solo)
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Takin' Care Of Business
Roll On Down The Highway
2. So who came up with the BTO logo?
The BTO logo was designed by Robin Bachman. Robin's artistic talents
are also on display on the 'Trial By Fire' cd, as he designed the cd
sleeve for it.
3. What's the connection between BTO and Elvis Presley?
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
Elvis Presley invited BTO to Las Vegas to meet him in 1975. Elvis
had adopted the phrase "Takin Care Of Business" from the BTO song. He
even wore sunglasses that had "TCB" on the sides (and EP on the front).
BTO visited for about an hour, and presented Elvis with a medallion
that had the BTO gear logo on the front and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"
printed on the back.
4. What was so unusual about Blair's first performance with BTO?
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
Blair's first scheduled show with the band was an outdoor concert that
was cancelled due to rain. So, his first performance turned out to be
on a nationally televised "In Concert" TV show.
According to Blair, it was a hairy experience. "I had a couple of
practices, and then there I was standing on the stage in front of those
television cameras. I was pretty scared. I had trouble remembering
everything. That was also the night that one of my idols, Dick Clark,
was there and he was talking to me and just killing time before the
taping. We were on stage and hadn't been introduced and we were standing
there with all these people and I was freaking out.Dick Clark was telling
me about his wife from Toronto who owns half of everything now or
something and he's telling me all those stories and I'm standing there
almost petrified. It was fun, though."
5. What's the story behind "Takin' Care Of Business"?
[Info taken from the Randy Bachman Interview at http://wcmr.com/rcb.htm]
Randy originally wrote the song with the Guess Who, under the title
of "White Collar Worker", but it was never recorded. During a BTO
tour C.F. lost his voice, and Randy had to sing lead. So he took "White
Collar Worker", simplified the chord structure, and changed the title
to "Takin' Care Of Business" (a phrase he had heard a DJ use). BTO
played it that night, got a great response, and the song ended up on
BTO II and was their first big hit.
6. Who played piano on "Takin' Care Of Business"?
[Info taken from the Randy Bachman Interview at http://wcmr.com/rcb.htm]
The piano was played by Norman Durkee, a pizza delivery person who
happened to walk in on the band while they were recording the song.
The pizza had actually been ordered by Steve Miller and War, who were
recording in an adjacent studio. While asking BTO if they knew who ordered
the pizza, Durkee heard the song, and suggested that it needed a piano.
BTO let him add a piano track, liked how it sounded, and decided to keep
it on the song.
7. What was the original title of the 'BTO II' album?
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
BTO II was originally slated to be called 'Adrenaline Rush'.
8. Why does Randy stutter in the vocal of "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"?
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
According to Randy "The song is a joke. A gold joke. I did the
stuttering as a joke. If you met my brother Gary, you'd know he stutters.
There was no intentional copy of 'My Generation'. I didn't even think of
it at the time. All it was was a dummy vocal track. I wanted to make a
cassette of the song and work on a solo over the weekend so I laid down
a dummy vocal.
"I took it home and everybody laughed at it at first, but
the engineer said 'You know, there's something really dynamite about
that track. The b-b-baby is a hook.' When we got back to the studio I
tried
to do a straight vocal track. It sounded like Frank Sinatra singing
'Strangers In The Night' so we all agreed to leave it on. Actually I was
kind of embarrased by it. The Mercury people came down to Sound City in
L.A. where I was mixing it, and when it came time for them to hear the
song I turned off the board."
9. What's the story behind the 'Four Wheel Drive' album?
[Info taken from liner notes to 'The Anthology' cd by Larry LeBlanc]
Mercury had pressured the group for a quick followup to the 'Not
Fragile' album, so 'Four Wheel Drive' was recorded in 6 days. It
contained many songs that had been rejected during the 'Not Fragile'
sessions. The album still went gold, but the singles from it were not
as successfull as from 'Not Fragile' and 'BTO II'. C.F. Turner feels that
'Four Wheel Drive' was "...the beginning of being tired, physically
emotionally, musically, being wiped out and starting to repeat things."
10. Did Little Richard ever play with BTO?
Little Richard plays piano on the 'Head On' album. Near the end of
"Take It Like A Man", C.F says "Play it Richard!" and Mr. Penniman
launches into the song ending piano solo.
11. Why did Tim Bachman leave BTO in 1974?
[Info taken from 'Bachman-Turner Overdrive' by Martin Melhuish]
Tim was planning to get married and was in school when he joined the
band. As BTO's success grew with the release of BTO II, Tim decided that
the life of a rock star was not for him.
12. Why did Randy leave BTO in 1977?
[Info taken from liner notes to 'The Anthology' cd by Larry LeBlanc
as well as provided by Robin Bachman]
As BTO's success began to wane with the 'Head On' album, Randy's
increasing work on outside projects became the target of the other
members frustration. According to C.F Turner, "The dissention happened
because we were saying these songs aren't good enough."
Randy tried to move BTO toward a more progressive style with the
'Freeways' album, but it was not a success. He essentially took control
of the album, writing most of the songs for it and allowing C.F. only
two vocal leads. According to Robin, C.F. didn't allow any pictures of
himself from the front on the album sleeve because in his mind he was
just a "sideman" on this album.
Randy Bachman remembers that "We had recorded seven albums together,
and I was tired out from all the road touring". He said the band
"...wanted
to temporarily disband, but it was decided by management it wouldn't work.
We also ran out of common interests."
13. Why does Jamaica on the 'Rock 'n Roll Nights' album sound familiar?
Jamaica was written by Jim Vallance, who also produced the 'Rock 'n
Roll
Nights' album. The song was a hit for Rick Springfield, but he recorded
it as 'Christina'. Same melody, pretty much the same lyrics, but a
different
title.
14. Are there any websites devoted to BTO or Randy Bachman?
Here are some BTO related links:
Stefan Bjornshog's excellent BTO page:
http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-15184/bto.html
Reine Edlund's BTO page: http://hem.passagen.se/re1/bto.html
The Former Official BTO fan page:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/5609/bto.html
Randy Bachman Home Page: http://www.wcmr.com/bachman.html
Randy info and merchandise.
Randy Bachman interview: http://wcmr.com/rcb.htm
7 part Randy interview.
Encyclopedia of Canadian Rock, Pop and Folk Music:
http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusicPopEncycloPages
Rick Jackson's excellent Canadian music database, which
contains entries for BTO and its related Canadian bands.
15. What is Tim Bachman up to?
Tim Bachman is working as a real estate broker in British Columbia. He
also plays in the area in his "Tim Bachman Band".
16. What was unusual about the original 'Head On' album cover format?
The original 'Head On' album cover consisted of two sleeves. The outer
sleeve unfolded into a poster the size of four album covers (24" X 24"),
with each album size section featuring a close up of a BTO band member.
(The cover of the Mercury compact disc is actually a cd size
representation
of the unfolded poster.) The inner sleeve held the album. On one side was
the BTO logo, on the other was a closeup of a smashed car's front end,
apparently after a "head on" collision. The Mercury cd does show the logo,
but unfortunately not the smashed car.
17. Who played the different guitar parts on the first two albums?
Unlike the albums with Randy & Blair on guitars, the liner notes of BTO
and BTO II - which feature Randy & Tim - don't identify who is playing
guitar in each speaker channel. As for the rhythm parts, to this ear it
sounds like Randy is generally in the right channel and Tim is in the
left.
This separation is less obvious on the BTO album, as the mix is somewhat
muddy, but you can hear it on "Blue Collar, 'Little Gandy Dancer", "Stayed
Awake All Night", 'Down And Out Man", & "Thank You For The Feelin'".
The guitar separation is more obvious on BTO II, which has a brighter
sound than the first album. You can hear it on "Blown", "Welcome Home",
"Stonegates", "Give It Time", & "I Don't Have To Hide". It's difficult to
determine guitar credits for the other songs from these two albums,
but it's possible that Randy plays all the guitar parts on the other
songs.
As for the solos, its likely that Randy played all of the solos on both
albums...with the possible exceptions of: (1) At the 2:39 mark of
"Little Gandy Dancer", in the left speaker channel, Tim cranks out a
solo.
(2) Tim probably plays the solo in "I Don't Have To Hide", a song that he
wrote.
18. What's different about "Hold Back The Water" on 'Trial By Fire'.
The version of "Hold Back The Water" on 'Trial By Fire' is acoustic,
and is one of the cd's highlights.
19. Is there a fan club for BTO?
The 'Trial By Fire' cd has the following listing:
BTO Fan Club
P.O. Box 491
Monroe, Wisconsin 53566
USA
####
Realist
they were my Favorite Band
