Months after the deaths of Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) co-founding singer and guitarist Tim Bachman and drummer Robbie Bachman in early 2023, Randy Bachman has revived the band for a series of shows that will run this fall.
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“I am thrilled—beyond screaming out loud ‘Yes, yes, yes’ at the opportunity to carry on the BTO legacy,” wrote Bachman, 79, on the band’s social media pages. “Watch out U.S.A. The band that put Overdrive into rock and roll is back. More heavy music to come!”
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The Back in Overdrive tour lineup will feature Bachman, along with his son Tal, and a number of touring musicians. Founding BTO bassist and singer Fred Turner, who retired from touring in 2018, has not been confirmed as a performer on the run of dates.
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“I am so glad to hear Randy is going forward with Bachman-Turner Overdrive,” wrote Turner in the BTO post. “I’m sure it will be a great venture and I hope Randy gets a great kick out of doing this with Tal and the band. The rest of us will be watching and wishing you every success.”
Former BTO lead guitarist Blair Thornton, who played on four of the band’s albums from 1974 through 1977, including Not Fragile featuring the band’s No. 1 hit “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”), will also sit out the tour due to health issues.
“While I will not be there this time around due to health reasons,” wrote Thornton, “I know that Randy and the boys will rock the house down every time they play.”
In addition to the forthcoming tour, BTO also revealed two new releases in 2024, including a concert film, which was originally shot in 1976 along with a double live album from the same year that was recorded at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
[RELATED: Story Behind the Song: “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive]
Along with the aforementioned releases, the band—which has not released a new album since their ninth album, BTO, in 1984—is also working on new material and will extend the tour at a later date. “Randy, Fred, and Tal are already writing and recording new songs and planning tours around the world,” read a portion of the post.
“Good luck to Randy and the band,” said the band’s longtime manager Bruce Allen. “BTO broke down the barriers for Canadian bands in a global marketplace. Many have followed. We are all cheering you on what should be a memorable victory lap.”
Get your tickets to the Back in Overdrive Tour now.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Back in Overdrive Tour Dates:
Set. 22 – West Springfield, Mass. @ The Big E
Oct. 19 – Saint Charles, Mo. @ The Family Arena
Oct. 20 – Waukegan, Ill. @ Genesee Theatre
Nov. 2 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ YouTube Theatre
Nov. 4 – Indio, Calif. @ Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Nov. 5 – El Cajon, Calif. @ The Magnolia
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
