Tim Bachman, co-founding member, and lead guitarist for the legendary band Bachman-Turner Overdrive has died at the age of 71. Tim, Robbie, and Randy Bachman formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1973. Randy, the oldest of the three brothers and the last surviving of the trio, confirmed the passing on his social media with Tim’s son Ryder.
According to Fox News, Randy posted this to social media:
“I haven’t posted because my heart has been heavy but the news has announced my brother Tim passed this weekend,” Randy shared Monday. “I am the last of my family on this side with all my memories of our life growing up in Winnipeg. So grateful for that. I’m sure my parents welcomed him home with my other 2 brothers who have passed in quick succession since the pandemic. I was the oldest. Rest in Peace, Timmy with mummy, daddy, Gary & Robbie.”
Bachman’s son, Ryder, posted a heartfelt message and tribute as well:
My Dad passed this afternoon,” he wrote. “Thank You Everyone for the kind words,” Ryder wrote. “Grateful I got to spend some time with him at the end. Grab yer loved ones and hug em close, ya never know how long you have.”
“I sat with Dad yesterday afternoon and reminisced about some of the good times we had,” he wrote at the time. “He was pretty out of it most of the time, but at one point looked up at me with really, big wide eyes and said, ‘I love you Paxton, keep sharing the music…’ and then passed back out. It’s really hard watching your parent lay in bed helpless and sick and there’s nothing you can do to help them. Breaking my heart. Thankful for the time we got to spend together.”
Bachman–Turner Overdrive's founding guitarist Tim Bachman has died at the age of 71. https://t.co/ZZMnI4QgoX
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 1, 2023
BTO was formed in 1973 by Tim, Robbie, and Randy Bachman and scored numerous hits, but they are best known for their songs “Takin’ Care of Business” and their single “Let It Ride,” which landed a spot on the Top 40 list. Both songs have been staples of classic rock and used widely in advertising, and still remain in heavy rotation on rock radio.
The band remained largely intact for the balance of their careers except for a short period when Tim left the band, and Blair Thornton took his place until he rejoined the band in 1984 for a reunion tour.
Tim’s brother Robbie, the drummer, died in January at the age of 69. Tim confirmed his death on Twitter at the time:
“Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side,” he wrote. “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.”
It’s been a tough couple of years for the band, but their music will live on forever on classic rock stations. RIP, Tim Bachman.
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