Randy Bachman

[ChuckE99]

And to some extent, Fred Turner and Blair Thornton of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. They all came to mind because of several things: First, Randy has just donated his entire Gretch collection to the Gretch company, who are using it to start a Gretch museum. Randy amassed the collection while searching for his favorite Gretch, which was stolen from him in 1976. Quite an interesting story. That got me reminiscing about BTO. They were the very first concert I ever saw, back in July of 1975 (33 years ago!). I went onto the Net to find out where they are now and the story is a tragic, if common one:

Randy left the band in the late 1970s and since then, has only rejoined the band once, in the 1990's, for a reunion tour. The remaining members formed "BTO" with a new guitarist, but Randy prevented them from using the full name, "Bachman-Turner Overdrive" (even though Robbie Bachman and Fred Turner were still in BTO). BTO toured for a while, but it looks like they disbanded in 2005 or so, and Fred Turner is now described as "retired". It doesn't seem like anybody from the original band is talking to anybody else. Randy still tours and uses "Bachman-Turner Overdrive" as it suits him. Sad.

Since I was a huge BTO fan in the mid 70's, many of their songs and guitar solos stand out in my mind. My favorite songs of theirs would include Not Fragile, Second Hand, Flat Broke Love, and of course, the "radio hits" of Let It Ride, Takin' Care of Business, and the others. Randy was also a killer jazz player and it was that combination of jazz phrasings with four-chord power rock that made the BTO hits so original and catchy. BTO was never the "best" band, but they showed me, at least, that you could write your own songs with four chords (think of Not Fragile) and have it be good, if not great.

[KD]

Weren't they a derivative of the "Guess Who? I thought "Blue Collar" was great with their dual leads which they played off one another flawlessly.

[ChuckE99]

Randy was the guitarist for the Guess Who. But BTO was nothing like them. If you've never had the chance, download some song off of their very first LP, "Bachman Turner Overdrive". It really is a completely original sound. Songs such as "Stayed Awake All Night" and "Thank You" are way cool. "Stayed Awake All Night" is another of my favorites.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/fBo5zYr_5is&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/fBo5zYr_5is&rel=1</a>

[BCy2k]

It's kinda' sad to see bands and artists who inspire us get into these big legal fights over name rights and all the other stuff they'll quarrel over.

And the spin off - semi-authentic, semi-faux incarnations they try to go out and book themselves as. That stuff gets crazy.

Many years ago I got called to play as part of a rhythm section that was to back up one of the dozen or so incarnations of "The Drifters" - at least I think that's who they were. It was one of those do-whop vocal groups - which ever one that had the hit, "Under the Boardwalk." Anyway, I don't know if any ONE of these guys was an original member, but they did have tight harmonies, they had all their steps down, and their book was in order so it made for a fun and easy gig. There were probably 1500 to 2000 in the audience. We just did a couple hours of rehearsal and we were good to go.

The gig went smoothly except for one little thing. The Drifters were scheduled to play 2 sets - the first set and the third set. We played a second set with a female vocalist that was just top-40 dance music. The second set actually went fine to except the female vocalist they'd hired - happened to be my ex-wife. 

Awkward.

This was unbeknownst to me, her, and the booking agency (the Pres & V.P of the agency were on the gig too! Drums & bass respectively). I hadn't seen or spoken to her in over 15 years. It was hilarious, but awkward. 

Sorry for that ramble - Randy Bachman is a really good player IMHO.

[emckenrick]

Randy Bachman is also the purveyor of the jazz phenom Lenny Breau.