Биография : Bachman Turner Overdrive
August '74 saw what would turn out to be the band's biggest seller in NOT FRAGILE, backed by more monster hits in "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and "Roll On Down The Highway". The band's versatility was demonstrated once again with the Randy-penned and sung tune "Rock Is My Life And This Is My Song". The next year produced FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. The title track written by Thornton, "Hey You" and "Quick Change Artist" were released as singles and along with other tracks like "Don't Let The Blues Get You Down" and rowdy "She's A Devil" helped solidify BTO's place as one of Canada's biggest groups. The reception given the band by the American audiences further helped silence Randy's critics as to his ability to produce hits outside The Guess Who.
The group cut HEAD ON later that year which featured the hits "Looking Out For #1" and "Gimme Your Money Please". Repeated airplay and constant touring had by this time made BTO synonomous with quality, no-frills rock & roll in practically all corners of the globe. The band released JAPAN TOUR LIVE in 1977. Although criticized as simply being one of many live records to be cut that year in front of a rock-starved Japanese crowd, was a fine indication of the brand of entertainment the group delivered live, and in fact was one of the first live albums taped in Japan. The compilation BEST OF BTO ... SO FAR followed that same year.
Next up was FREEWAYS, released by the end of '77. "Shotgun Rider" and "Life Goes On" were released as singles, but it seemed as though something was missing. However problems with the direction the music was going again plagued the group and led to Randy Bachman leaving the band. Legal issues ensued which continue to this day, leading to Thornton, Turner and Robin Bachman securing the rights to the name 'BTO' and using that name instead of the elongated band name. With Jim Clench of April Wine fame coming in on bass, Turner switched to rhythm guitar. 1978 had STREET ACTION hit the stores and the single "Down The Road" on the airwaves, but poor direction from the record label meant no one listened or bought it. They released ROCK AND ROLL NIGHTS on Mercury Records the next year. Although two singles were released, the reception given "Heartaches" and Jim Vallance's "Jamaica" spelled the temporary shelving of one of Canada's finest names in rock.
The band reformed with Randy for '84's self-titled release. Along with Turner, the album also featured Billy Chapman on piano and Randy's Guess Who buddy Gary Peterson on drums. Randy also recruited wife Denise McCann for backing vocals. Though it was met with critical reviews, the album failed to produce any singles or much of a renewed interest in the band, despite the tight writing and skilled musicianship the name BTO was synonymous with in such tracks as "Toledo", "City's Still Growin'" and the lead track "For The Weekend". Randy Bachman left again shortly after the album's release and Turner disbanded the group, with all members taking some time for other projects. The label execs released GREATEST HITS LIVE two years later and BTO'S GREATEST in the spring of '87. They regrouped with their present lineup in 1991. Robin Bachman, Turner, Thornton and new guitarist Randy Murray hit the tour circuit as if the band never missed a beat. "Randy doesn't fill anyone's shoes," Bachman said. "He brings his own." What many consider the essential BTO collection, a double disc set called ANTHOLOGY came out in 1993. DRIVE ON, another best-of compilation was next up a year later.
BTO again hit the stores in 1998 with TRIAL BY FIRE, available only in Europe. Consisting of Turner, original drummer Robbie Bachman, Thornton's return on guitars and Randy Murray holding down the rest of the guitar duties, the disc interestingly consisted mostly of classic BTO brought up to date with Murray on vocals, including "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" and "Hey You". But also noteable are the four new songs, including the title-track. Also on the record is a killer version of the Delta blues classic The Animals made famous "House of the Rising Sun". The origins of the recording began a couple years earlier at an outdoor show in Sturgess, SD for the Hell's Angels, which the Animals also played. When they didn't play "House" BTO was told they'd better, so they did.
A mid 70's concert was released in 1998 in the King Biscuit Flower Hour series, two years prior to another 'best of' compilation, this one in CBS' Millenium series. Though it's the line-up featuring Randy Bachman that most people equate to as 'BTO', the band's current line-up is actually their longest standing. 3 1/2 decades on the scene have cemented them in the foundations of Canadian rock and a new album is in the works.
Source : http://www.headpins.net/ccr/roster/bto.shtml