Randy Bachman facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Randy Bachman OC OM
Bachman in concert in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Randolph Charles Bachman
Born	(1943-09-27) September 27, 1943 (age 81) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died	Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres	Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, radio personality
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1960–present
Associated acts	Chad Allan, the Guess Who, Ironhorse, Brave Belt, Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Bachman & Turner

Randolph Charles Bachman (born September 27, 1943) is a famous Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He helped start two very popular rock bands: The Guess Who and Bachman–Turner Overdrive. Randy Bachman wrote and sang many hit songs, including "Takin' Care of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet".

He also released music as a solo artist and was part of other bands like Brave Belt and Ironhorse. For many years, he hosted a weekly music show called Vinyl Tap on CBC Radio. In 2016, Randy Bachman was honored by being inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Early Life and Musical Start

Randy Bachman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. When he was just three years old, he won a singing contest. By age five, he began learning to play the violin. He studied violin until he was 12, but he found the lessons too strict. He discovered he could play any song just by hearing it once, even if he couldn't read music. He called this his "phonographic memory."

When he was 15, Randy saw Elvis Presley play guitar on TV. This inspired him to learn guitar. His cousin taught him three basic chords. He then started practicing on a special Hawaiian guitar called a Dobro. A few years later, he met Lenny Breau, who taught him a special way of playing guitar called finger picking. Breau also introduced him to the music of Chet Atkins.

In 1959, Randy tried to see the famous guitarist Les Paul in concert. He was too young to get in, but he helped Paul set up his equipment. After the show, he helped Paul pack up. Randy, who was still learning guitar, asked Paul to teach him something. Les Paul taught him a part of his song "How High the Moon."

Randy was a good student at first. But once he started playing guitar, he focused more on music than school. He finished Grade 9, but he repeated Grades 10 and 11. He eventually finished his schooling at Garden City Collegiate. He also studied business for a short time, but he didn't finish college.

Professional Music Career

Forming The Guess Who

In 1960, Randy Bachman and Chad Allan started a band in Winnipeg called Al and The Silvertones. By 1962, they changed their name to Chad Allan and the Expressions. Later, they became known as The Guess Who. In 1965, The Guess Who had a big hit in Canada with their song "Shakin' All Over." This song also became popular in the United States.

In 1966, Chad Allan left the band, and Burton Cummings became the main singer. From 1966 to 1968, The Guess Who released many popular songs in Canada. In 1969, their song "These Eyes" became a hit around the world. Over the next two years, they released three successful albums: Wheatfield Soul (1969), Canned Wheat (1969), and American Woman (1970). Randy Bachman wrote or co-wrote most of the band's songs during this time.

In early 1970, the song "American Woman" reached No. 1 in the US. This was the first time a Canadian band had a No. 1 hit in America. Randy Bachman left The Guess Who soon after this success. He left because his personal beliefs were different from the other band members' lifestyles. He also had some health issues that made touring difficult.

Brave Belt and Bachman–Turner Overdrive

Before leaving The Guess Who, Randy Bachman recorded a solo album called Axe in 1970. The next year, he started a new band called Brave Belt with Chad Allan. Randy's younger brother, Robbie Bachman, played drums in Brave Belt. Fred Turner then joined the band on bass and vocals. This made the band's sound heavier, and Chad Allan left.

With three members, Brave Belt added Randy's other brother, Tim Bachman, as a second guitarist. This new lineup signed a record deal and changed their name to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, often called "B.T.O." They released their first album, Bachman–Turner Overdrive, in May 1973.

Bachman in 1974.

In December 1973, B.T.O. released their second album, Bachman–Turner Overdrive II. This album was even more successful. It included hits like "Takin' Care of Business" and "Let It Ride." In 1974, their third album, Not Fragile, reached No. 1 in both Canada and the United States. This album featured the hit songs "Roll On Down the Highway" and "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet." With "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet," Randy Bachman achieved the rare feat of having a No. 1 hit in America with two different Canadian bands.

B.T.O. continued to have hit songs through the mid-1970s with albums like Four Wheel Drive and Head On. These albums included "Hey You" and "Lookin' Out For No. 1." In late 1976, while recording their sixth album, Freeways, disagreements arose within the band. Randy Bachman left the band in March 1977. The other members continued to play as B.T.O. after Randy sold them the rights to the band's name.

Later Years and Reunions

After leaving Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman released another solo album called Survivor. He then formed a new rock band called Ironhorse, which released its first album in 1979. Their song "Sweet Lui-Louise" was a hit in the US and Canada. Later, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner formed a band called Union and released one album in 1981.

Randy Bachman rejoined The Guess Who in 1983 for a reunion tour in Canada. After that, he rejoined Bachman-Turner Overdrive with Fred Turner and Tim Bachman. This reformed B.T.O. released an album in 1984 and toured with Van Halen in 1986. Randy left the band again in 1987.

B.T.O. reformed once more in 1988 with a popular lineup and toured until 1991, when Randy left again. Randy returned to The Guess Who for a special reunion show in Winnipeg in 1999.

2000s and Beyond

Randy Bachman continued to tour with The Guess Who in the early 2000s. In 2000, he even appeared as himself on an episode of The Simpsons with his former B.T.O. bandmates. The show's creator, Matt Groening, is a big fan of the band.

In 2001, Randy Bachman received an honorary music degree from Brandon University. He also won several awards for his classic songs. In 2005, he received the Order of Manitoba, a high honor in his home province. He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame with The Guess Who in 2001. In 2003, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings left The Guess Who to form a new project called Bachman Cummings.

In 2004, Randy Bachman helped a young artist named Kalan Porter on his first album. Randy also released an album of jazz songs called Jazz Thing.

In the summer of 2005, Randy Bachman started hosting his popular radio show, Vinyl Tap, on CBC Radio One. On the show, he played classic rock music and shared stories about his experiences with famous musicians. The show ran for 16 seasons, ending in 2021.

On July 2, 2005, Randy Bachman performed at the Canadian part of Live 8, a big concert event organized by Bob Geldof. In 2008, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Randy Bachman continued to tour with his own band and with Bachman-Cummings. He also performed a show called "Every Song Tells A Story," where he shared the stories behind his famous songs. In 2010, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner released a new album together as Bachman & Turner. They then went on a two-year world tour.

2010s and Recent Years

In 2012, Randy Bachman was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame for the second time, this time as a solo artist. In 2015, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from SOCAN, a Canadian music organization.

In 2015, he released an album called Heavy Blues with his new band, Bachman. This album was inspired by classic blues rock and featured other famous musicians like Neil Young and Peter Frampton. In 2018, Bachman released a tribute album to George Harrison, which included his own versions of Harrison's songs.

Randy and Fred Turner continued to tour as Bachman & Turner until 2018, when Fred retired. In April 2020, Randy Bachman appeared on a Canadian TV show called "Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble" to thank frontline workers during the pandemic. He played a short, funny version of "Takin' Care of Business."

In January 2023, Randy Bachman announced that his younger brother, Robbie Bachman, had passed away. In May 2023, he also shared that his brothers Gary and Tim Bachman had died.

Guitar Style

Randy Bachman has said that his early violin lessons influenced his guitar playing. He explained that when he played a rock solo, he played it like a violin. This means his guitar solos tend to be smooth and melodic.

He has mentioned that some of his guitar influences include Lenny Breau, Leslie West, and Hank Marvin.

Personal Life

Randy Bachman has been married twice. His first marriage was to Lorayne Stevenson, and they had six children. His son, Tal Bachman, is also a musician known for his 1999 song "She's So High." His daughter Lorelei Bachman is also a writer and musician. Randy then married Denise McCann in 1982, and they had one child. They separated in 2011.

During his early years with The Guess Who, Randy's personal beliefs were different from the lifestyle of some other band members.

Randy Bachman has also talked about his struggles with weight. He realized his weight was causing health problems and making touring difficult. After a special surgery, he lost a lot of weight and reached a healthy target. In 2007, he had surgery on his shoulder, which he believes was caused by years of playing heavy guitars.

Randy Bachman has a large family, with 26 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also a member of Artists Against Racism, a Canadian charity.

Music Albums

Solo Albums

1970 Axe
1978 Survivor
1992 Any Road
1993 Bob's Garage (live mini-album)
1996 Merge
1998 Songbook
2001 Every Song Tells A Story
2004 Jazz Thing
2006 Bachman-Cummings Songbook (a collection of songs from The Guess Who, Burton Cummings, and Bachman–Turner Overdrive)
2006 The Thunderbird Trax (unreleased songs by Bachman and Cummings)
2007 Jazz Thing II
2007 Jukebox
2008 Takin' Care of Christmas (Christmas songs, including a new version of "Takin' Care of Business")
2010 Bachman & Turner, with Fred Turner
2014 Vinyl Tap Every Song Tells A Story
2015 Heavy Blues
2018 By George By Bachman (a tribute album to George Harrison)

Chad Allan & The Expressions Albums

1965: Shakin 'All Over'
1965: Hey Ho (What You Do To Me)
1966: Chad Allan & The Expressions

The Guess Who? Albums

1966: It's Time (The Guess Who album)
1968: A Wild Pair

The Guess Who Albums

1969: Wheatfield Soul
1969: Canned Wheat
1970: American Woman
1970: Born in Canada
1976: The Way They Were

Brave Belt Albums

1971: Brave Belt
1972: Brave Belt II

Bachman-Turner Overdrive Albums

1973: Bachman-Turner Overdrive
1973: Bachman-Turner Overdrive II
1974: Not Fragile
1975: Four Wheel Drive
1975: Head On
1977: Freeways
1984: Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Ironhorse Albums

1979: Ironhorse
1980: Everything is Gray

Union Albums

1981: On Strike

Bachman Cummings Albums

2006: The Thunderbird Trax
2006: Bachman Cummings Songbook
2007: Jukebox

Bachman & Turner Albums

2010: Bachman & Turner
2010: Forged In Rock
2010: Rolling Along
2012: Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC

Images for kids

Bachman playing air guitar in 2024.