Drummer And Co-Founder Of Bachman-Turner Overdrive Dies At 69
You may not know the name Robbie Bachman, but you’ve probably head the song “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet.” This song was a big hit for the band Robbie helped co-found, the band that became known as Bachman-Turned Overdrive, or later, BTO.
Robbie was the drummer for Bachman Turner Overdrive. He joined the band upon the request of his older brother, Randy Bachman, who was a vocalist and guitarist for the band. At the time, the band was called Brave Belt, but after adding musician Chad Allen, bassist C. Fred Turner, and their middle brother Tim Bachman on rhythm guitar, they changed their name to Bachman Turner Overdrive.
On January 12, 2023, Randy shared some sad news about his little bother Robbie. He posted a throwback picture of Bachman Turner Overdrive while announcing his brother’s death. He wrote, “The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side.” He did not mention a cause of death. Robbie was 69 years old.
Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side. Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock ‘n’ roll machine and we rocked the world together. #RIP #littlebrother #family pic.twitter.com/XASj6CVXzA
— Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) January 13, 2023
Robbie and his brothers grew up in Winnipeg, Canada. As a band, they went on to release multiple albums, and in 2014, Bachman Turner Overdrive was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
I sometimes feel that BTO don’t get the recognition they deserve, lost in the maelstrom of Eagles, Kansas etc, but Robbie Bachman passed away yesterday so from Bootle an appreciation. In memory of Robbie Bachman. Today’s album listen….Bachman Turner Overdrive: Not Fragile. pic.twitter.com/OL3icWQ1E3
— Ian D. Hall (@IanDHall1) January 13, 2023
In the video below, watch Bachman Turned Overdrive perform their biggest hit, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” back in 1974. That’s Robbie on the drums.