Bachman-Turner Overdrive guitarist Tim Bachman passed away on April 28 at the age of 71.
The rocker’s son, Ryder, announced the news via social media last Friday, writing: “My Dad passed this afternoon. Thank You Everyone for the kind words. Grateful I got to spend some time with him at the end. Grab yer loved ones and hug em close, ya never know how long you have.”
In the days before Tim’s passing, Ryder revealed that the hospice his father was staying at had advised him to get there as soon as possible after doctors discovered his father's brain cancer had worsened.
“I haven’t posted because my heart has been heavy but the news has announced my brother Tim passed this weekend,” shared BTO and Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman on Monday. “I am the last of my family on this side with all my memories of our life growing up in Winnipeg. So greatful for that. I’m sure my parents welcomed him home with my other 2 brothers who have passed in quick succession since the pandemic. I was the oldest. Rest in Peace, Timmy with mummy, daddy, Gary & Robbie.”
Tim joined his brother Randy’s first post-Guess Who outfit, Brave Belt, in 1972, which also featured Robbie Bachman on drums and bassist/vocalist Fred Turner; the lineup set the stage for the formation of Bachman-Turner Overdrive a year later.
Despite the lack of a hit single, BTO’s 1973 self-titled debut album reached the Top 10 in Canada and made inroads into the US as some early radio support helped the group attract more fans in sync with their live appearances.
The follow-up, “Bachman–Turner Overdrive II”, was launched with the lead single “Let It Ride”, which delivered the band’s first US Top 30 hit before “Takin’ Care Of Business” earned top 5 status at home and Top 15 in the US, going on to become a mainstay at North American rock radio.
Following the release of “BTO II” – a top 10 album on both sides of the border – Tim left the band, which went on to tour behind more studio albums before Randy exited the lineup in 1977 ahead of the group disbanding two years later.
Randy, Tim and Fred would eventually reunite BTO for the first time in 1983, releasing an album in 1984 and going on to open for the newly-fronted Sammy Hagar version of Van Halen two years later before Randy left again.
Tim and Randy’s brother, BTO drummer Robbie Bachman, passed away in January at the age of 69.
Pick up your copy of “The Best of Bachman-Turner Overdrive” here.
See also:
Bachman–Turner Overdrive drummer Robbie Bachman dead at 69
AUDIO: Randy Bachman streams Heavy Blues track Learn To Fly
Randy Bachman releases Oh My Lord video
Randy Bachman debuts video for Heavy Blues
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