Robbie Bachman
Robin Peter Kendall Bachman (February 18, 1953 – January 12, 2023) was a Canadian drummer and the youngest brother of guitarist, singer and songwriter Randy Bachman. He was the original drummer for both the Brave Belt and Bachman–Turner Overdrive bands. He was most often credited as "Robbie" or "Rob" on the liner notes of Brave Belt and BTO albums.
Robbie Bachman | |
|---|---|
.png.webp) Bachman in 1974 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robin Peter Kendall Bachman |
| Also known as | Rob Bachman |
| Born | February 18, 1953 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | January 12, 2023 (aged 69) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Years active | 1971–2004 |
Early life
While growing up, Bachman practised the drums at home, often playing along with his older brother Randy.
Bachman–Turner Overdrive
In 1971, Randy offered the Brave Belt drumming job to his then-18-year-old brother, and Robbie accepted.[1] Other members of Brave Belt were Chad Allan and Fred Turner.[2] Robbie co-wrote the song "Summer Soldier" for the 1972 Brave Belt II album. Later in 1972, another Bachman brother, Tim, joined Brave Belt after the departure of Allan.[2]
When Brave Belt changed their name to Bachman–Turner Overdrive (BTO) in 1973, Robbie was credited with designing the BTO "gear" logo.[3] BTO enjoyed a period of peak popularity between 1973 and 1976, releasing five Top 40 albums, six U.S. Top 40 singles, and eleven Top 40 singles in Canada. Robbie co-wrote (with Fred Turner) one of Bachman–Turner Overdrive's biggest hits, "Roll On down the Highway" (Billboard No. 14 and RPM No. 4 in 1975). He remained with BTO until late 1979, after their tour supporting the 1979 album Rock n' Roll Nights had ended.[4]
In 1984, Robbie declined to join a reformation of BTO due to licensing issues with brother Randy.[5] He also opposed Randy's decision to include Tim Bachman as the second guitarist, instead of Blair Thornton. He was replaced on that 1984 album and supporting tours by former Guess Who drummer Garry Peterson. Robbie later rejoined the Not Fragile line up of BTO for reunion tours lasting from 1988 until 1991, after which Randy Bachman left the band. Robbie and the rest of the group, with replacement guitarist/vocalist Randy Murray, toured as BTO until the end of 2004.[6] The only new material to come from this line-up is found on the 1996 album Trial By Fire: Greatest & Latest.[7]
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.[8][9] 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.[10][11]
On March 29, 2014, Robbie and the Not Fragile line-up of Bachman-Turner Overdrive were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.[12]
Personal life and death
Bachman was the youngest brother of acclaimed musician Randy Bachman, and was the uncle to Tal Bachman. He died on January 12, 2023, aged 69. He is survived by his wife Chrissy.[13][14][15] His death was confirmed by Randy.[16][17]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachman–Turner Overdrive | |
| Bachman–Turner Overdrive II |
|
| Not Fragile |
|
| Four Wheel Drive |
|
| Head On |
|
| Freeways |
|
| Street Action |
|
| Rock n' Roll Nights |
|
| Trial by Fire: Greatest & Latest |
Live albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| B.T.O. Japan Tour Live |
|
| Best of Bachman–Turner Overdrive Live |
|
| King Biscuit Flower Hour: Bachman–Turner Overdrive |
|
Singles
| Single | Year |
|---|---|
| "Gimme Your Money Please"/"Little Gandy Dancer" | 1973 |
| "Blue Collar" | |
| "Stayed Awake All Night" (UK-only release) | |
| "Down and Out Man" (Japan-only release) | |
| "Let It Ride" | 1974 |
| "Give It Time" (France-only release) | |
| "Takin' Care of Business" | |
| "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" | |
| "Not Fragile" (France-only release) | |
| "Roll On Down the Highway" | 1975 |
| "Hey You" | |
| "Quick Change Artist" | |
| "Down to the Line" | |
| "Take It Like a Man" | 1976 |
| "Away from Home" (UK-only release) | |
| "Lookin' Out for #1" | |
| "Gimme Your Money Please" (reissue) | |
| "My Wheels Won't Turn" | 1977 |
| "Life Still Goes On (I'm Lonely)" | |
| "Shotgun Rider" | |
| "Down, Down" (Germany-only release) | |
| "Down the Road" | 1978 |
| "Jamaica" | 1979 |
| "Heartaches" | |
| "Wooly Bully" | 1989 |
| "The House of the Rising Sun" (Europe-only release) | 1996 |
References
- Gormley, Peter. 'BTO (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) Frequently Asked Questions' Archived April 4, 2019, at the Wayback Machine – "7/31/97"
- Ronald, Issy (January 13, 2023). "Robbie Bachman, drummer of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, dead at 69". CNN. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- 'Robin Bachman Interview' – "XMFan.com"
- Heatley, Michael (December 17, 2016). "From rags to riches and back: The turbulent story of Bachman-Turner Overdrive". loudersound.com. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- Peacock, Tim (January 13, 2023). "Robbie Bachman, Bachman-Turner Overdrive Drummer, Dies Aged 69". uDiscovermusic. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- "Bachman-Turner Overdrive Concert History". concertarchives.org. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- "Trial by Fire: Greatest & Latest". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- Kreps, Jodi Guglielmi,Daniel; Guglielmi, Jodi; Kreps, Daniel (January 13, 2023). "Bachman-Turner Overdrive Drummer Robbie Bachman Dead at 69". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Robbie Bachman, Drummer For Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Dies at 69". Best Classic Bands. January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- "Bachman brothers battle over BTO name". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 4, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- "Bachman-Turner Overdrive drummer Robbie Bachman dead at 69". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Canadianmusichalloffame.ca. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- "Robbie Bachman, Drummer of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Dead at 69". consequence.net. January 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- "Bachman-Turner Overdrive co-founder Robbie Bachman dead at 69". United Press International. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- Bloom, Madison (January 13, 2023). "Robbie Bachman, Drummer and Co-Founder of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Has Died". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- hollywoodbriefs (January 14, 2023). "Robbie Bachman Cause of Death, Bio, Age, Parents, Siblings, Wife, Children –". Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- Sainii, Aditya (January 14, 2023). "Robbie Bachman Cause of death, Bio, Age, Parents, Siblings, Wife, Children". Hollywood Briefs. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.