Robbie Bachman — the younger brother of singer-songwriter Randy Bachman best known as the co-founding drummer of Bachman–Turner Overdrive and preceding project Brave Belt — has died. News of Bachman's death was shared by Randy Bachman, though a cause of death was not revealed. He was 69.
"Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side," Randy Bachman wrote on Twitter yesterday (January 12). "Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock 'n' roll machine and we rocked the world together."
Born in Winnipeg in 1953, Robbie Bachman began performing with Randy upon being invited to join Brave Belt — a group the elder Bachman formed following his departure from the Guess Who in 1970 — as drummer at age 18. The band — which also included founding Guess Who member Chad Allan, and later, bassist-vocalist Fred Turner — would make their debut with a self-titled album in 1971, which was followed by Brave Belt II in 1972.
With Allan's departure and Brave Belt II's lacklustre sales, Turner, Randy, Robbie and added second guitarist Tim Bachman would change their name to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, releasing their eponymous debut in 1973. Robbie is credited with designing the band's gear logo, appearing for the first time on the cover of their debut.
Sophomore LP Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, which arrived that same year, scored BTO a pair of hits in the enduring "Takin' Care of Business" and "Let It Ride." For the band's acclaimed third album, 1974's Not Fragile, Robbie would co-write "Roll on Down the Highway," a chronicle of touring life that could anchor any driving playlist.
Robbie would continue playing with BTO after brother Randy's departure following the release of 1977 album Freeways, appearing on 1978's Street Cation and 1979's Rock n' Roll Nights ahead of leaving the band himself. He would rejoin a reformed BTO in 1988, and continued touring with the group through 2005.
"Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side," Randy Bachman wrote on Twitter yesterday (January 12). "Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock 'n' roll machine and we rocked the world together."
Born in Winnipeg in 1953, Robbie Bachman began performing with Randy upon being invited to join Brave Belt — a group the elder Bachman formed following his departure from the Guess Who in 1970 — as drummer at age 18. The band — which also included founding Guess Who member Chad Allan, and later, bassist-vocalist Fred Turner — would make their debut with a self-titled album in 1971, which was followed by Brave Belt II in 1972.
With Allan's departure and Brave Belt II's lacklustre sales, Turner, Randy, Robbie and added second guitarist Tim Bachman would change their name to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, releasing their eponymous debut in 1973. Robbie is credited with designing the band's gear logo, appearing for the first time on the cover of their debut.
Sophomore LP Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, which arrived that same year, scored BTO a pair of hits in the enduring "Takin' Care of Business" and "Let It Ride." For the band's acclaimed third album, 1974's Not Fragile, Robbie would co-write "Roll on Down the Highway," a chronicle of touring life that could anchor any driving playlist.
Robbie would continue playing with BTO after brother Randy's departure following the release of 1977 album Freeways, appearing on 1978's Street Cation and 1979's Rock n' Roll Nights ahead of leaving the band himself. He would rejoin a reformed BTO in 1988, and continued touring with the group through 2005.
