Editing Randy Bachman

{{Short description|Canadian musician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Randy Bachman
| honorific_suffix  = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|OM|FRCMT(hon)|size=100%}}
| image             = Randy Bachman cropped.jpg
| image_size        = 
| caption           = Bachman in concert in 2009
| birth_name        = Randolph Charles Bachman
| birth_date        = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1943|9|27}}}}
| birth_place       = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| alias             = 
| genre             = [[Rock music|Rock]]
| occupation        = Musician, songwriter, radio personality
| instrument        = Guitar, vocals
| years_active      = 1960–present
| label             = 
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Guess Who]]|[[Bachman-Turner Overdrive]]}}
| associated_acts   = [[Chad Allan (musician)|Chad Allan]], [[the Guess Who]], [[Ironhorse]],<!-- not the article Union (band) --> [[Brave Belt]], [[Bachman–Turner Overdrive]], [[Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band]], [[Bachman & Turner]]
| website           = {{URL|randybachman.com}}
}}

'''Randolph Charles Bachman''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|OM|FRCMT(hon)}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|k|m|ən}} {{respell|BAK|mən}}; born September 27, 1943) is a Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter.  He was a founding member of the bands [[The Guess Who]] and [[Bachman–Turner Overdrive]]. He was the writer and singer of several hit rock songs, including, "[[Takin' Care of Business (song)|Takin' Care of Business]]", and "[[You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)|You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet]]". Bachman also recorded as a solo artist and was part of a number of short-lived bands such as [[Brave Belt]], Union and [[Ironhorse]]. He was a national radio personality on [[CBC Radio]], hosting the weekly music show, ''[[Vinyl Tap]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/program/randy-bachmans-vinyl-tap|title=Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap|date=April 1, 2020|website=CBC|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> Bachman was inducted into the [[Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum]] in 2016.

== Early life and education ==
Born in [[Winnipeg, Manitoba]], to Karl (Charlie) Bachman and Anne (Nancy) Dobrinsky, Bachman is of half-[[German Canadians|German]] and half-[[Ukrainian Canadians|Ukrainian]] descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/whodoyouthinkyouare/2012/09/randy-bachman.html |title=Who Do You Think You Are? |publisher=CBC |access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref> At age three, he won a singing contest on [[CKY-FM|CKY]]'s King of the Saddle program and age five he had started studying the violin in the [[The Royal Conservatory of Music|Royal Toronto Conservatory]] system.<ref name=VanSun>{{cite web |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/Randy+Bachman+shows+grow+rock+star/1169377/story.html |title=Hey You! Randy Bachman shows how to grow a rock star |publisher=vancouversun.com |access-date=November 11, 2010 |author1=Shore }}</ref> He studied [[violin]] until the age of 12 when he grew dissatisfied with the structured lessons.<ref name=ClassicInt>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/classic-interview-randy-bachman-from-the-july-1975-gp/883 |title=Classic Interview: Randy Bachman from the July 1975 GP |publisher=www.guitarplayer.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> He found that while he could not read music, he could play anything if he heard it once; he referred to it as his phonographic memory.<ref name=VanSun />

At age 15, Bachman saw [[Elvis Presley]] play on [[Tommy Dorsey]]'s television show and the sight of the guitar around Presley's neck inspired him. He learned three chords from his cousin, then started practising on a modified Hawaiian [[Dobro]].<ref name=ClassicInt /> At age 16, Bachman met [[Lenny Breau]] and during the next two years Breau taught Bachman [[fingerstyle guitar|finger picking]]. Breau also introduced him to [[Chet Atkins]]' music.<ref name=VanSun />

In 1959, Bachman bought a ticket to see [[Les Paul]] in concert at a Winnipeg supper club but could not get in as he was too young. He instead helped Paul set up before the show and also helped him reload everything into the car after the show. Still a budding guitarist at this point, Bachman asked Paul if he could teach him a guitar lick; Paul ended up teaching his version of "[[How High the Moon]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.journalpioneer.com/Economy/2009-08-14/article-1398093/Randy-Bachman-recalls-playing-with-Les-Paul-calls-him-biggest-influence-on-rock/1 |title=Randy Bachman recalls playing with Les Paul, calls him 'biggest influence on rock – Economy – Business – The Journal Pioneer |publisher=www.journalpioneer.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref><ref name=GibsonPart2>{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/randy-bachman-0616/ |title=The Gibson Interview with Randy Bachman (Part 2) |publisher=www.gibson.com |access-date=November 11, 2010 |author=Bryan Wawzenek |date=June 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828093034/http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/Lifestyle/Features/randy%2Dbachman%2D0616/ |archive-date=August 28, 2010}}</ref>

He was initially a good student at school until he took up the guitar, when he focused on that instrument to the exclusion of his education. He passed Grade 9 at Edmund Partridge Junior High School, but repeated both the 10th and 11th grades, initially at [[West Kildonan Collegiate]]. In his second year of Grade 11, he was placed in a class of students who mostly either "flunked or dropped out and came back", and was asked to be class president by the teacher, who thought he had "discipline and determination" because he had been playing violin since the age of five. He was expelled from West Kildonan in the middle of that year because of his "lack of studiousness", and finished his schooling at [[Garden City Collegiate]]. He went on to study business administration at what is now [[Red River College]], but did not graduate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mbteach.org/extras/teacher%20appreciation/randy%20bachman.html|title=randy bachman|publisher=The Manitoba Teachers' Society|date=January 2006|access-date=May 5, 2013|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021191925/http://www.mbteach.org/extras/teacher%20appreciation/randy%20bachman.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Professional musical career ==
=== The Guess Who ===
In 1960, Bachman and [[Chad Allan (musician)|Chad Allan]] co-founded Al and The Silvertones in Winnipeg. By 1962, the band had changed their name to Chad Allan and the Expressions and later to [[The Guess Who]]. In 1965, the Guess Who had a No. 1 hit in Canada with their version of [[Johnny Kidd & the Pirates|Johnny Kidd's]] "[[Shakin' All Over]]", which also charted in the US at No. 22. In 1966, Chad Allan left the band and [[Burton Cummings]] became the primary vocalist. Between 1966 and 1968, The Guess Who worked mostly in their home country, releasing numerous Top 40 singles in Canada. In early 1969, the group finally broke through internationally with the hit song "[[These Eyes]]", co-written by Bachman and Cummings. The Guess Who released three successful albums over the next two years: ''[[Wheatfield Soul]]'' (1969), ''[[Canned Wheat]]'' (1969), and ''[[American Woman (album)|American Woman]]'' (1970), which brought them mainstream attention. Bachman wrote or cowrote (primarily with Cummings) most of the group's songs during this period.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

In early 1970, the single "[[American Woman]]" hit No. 1 on the US Hot 100 charts, a first for a band from Canada. A group composition, the song critiques the "ghetto scenes" and "war machines" of the US, reflecting the Guess Who's experiences of extensive touring in large American cities. With the [[Vietnam War]] at its peak, many American men went to Canada to escape [[US military|US Military]] service. Bachman left the band at the height of its popularity, shortly after the release of ''American Woman''. He has been quoted as leaving due to the other band members' lifestyle choices conflicting with his beliefs upon converting to [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], in addition to wanting to spend more time with his family members.<ref name="Bachman bio at CBC.ca">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/bachman.html |title=Bachman bio at |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=January 20, 2004 |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> He was also suffering health problems related to his gall bladder and needed to be under a doctor's care, something that was difficult to do while on the road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/american-woman-hitmaker-randy-bachman-recalls-1960s-winnipeg-rock-scene/504180862/ |title='American Woman' hitmaker Randy Bachman recalls 1960s Winnipeg rock scene |last=Bream |first=Jon |website=StarTribune.com |date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=September 12, 2019}}</ref>

=== Brave Belt and Bachman–Turner Overdrive ===
Before his departure from The Guess Who in May 1970, Bachman recorded an instrumental solo album for [[RCA Records]], ''Axe'', over three days in March 1970. The following year, he formed the [[country rock]] band [[Brave Belt]] with Chad Allan. Brave Belt released its first self-titled [[LP record|LP]] in 1971. Randy's brother [[Robbie Bachman]] was the drummer for Brave Belt, at barely 18 years-old. [[Fred Turner (musician)|Fred Turner]] subsequently joined Brave Belt on bass and vocals, resulting in the band evolving into a heavier sound, which led to the departure of Chad Allan.

Left with a three-member line-up, Brave Belt added [[Tim Bachman]] as a second guitarist. With this lineup, the members signed a record deal with [[Mercury Records]] and renamed the band [[Bachman-Turner Overdrive]]. Often referred to as "B.T.O." for short, they released their first self-titled album, ''[[Bachman–Turner Overdrive (1973 album)|Bachman–Turner Overdrive]]'' in May 1973.
[[File:Randy_Bachman.png|alt=Randy_Bachman|thumb|Bachman in 1974.]]
In December 1973, the band released their second album, ''[[Bachman–Turner Overdrive II]]''. This album brought the band greater commercial success than their debut, with hits such as "[[Takin' Care of Business (song)|Takin' Care of Business]]" and "[[Let It Ride (Bachman-Turner Overdrive song)|Let It Ride]]", which charted at Nos. 12 and 23 in the US, respectively. In 1974, they released their third album titled, ''[[Not Fragile]]''. The release hit No. 1 on the album charts in both Canada and the United States. The album contained the hits, "[[Roll On Down the Highway]]" and "[[You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)|You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet]]", which charted at Nos. 14 and 1, respectively. With the latter, Randy had the rare accomplishment of recording an American chart-topper for two different Canadian bands; the other being "American Woman" while he was in The Guess Who.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

The band remained on the charts through the mid-1970s with their next two albums, ''[[Four Wheel Drive (Bachman–Turner Overdrive album)|Four Wheel Drive]]'' and ''[[Head On (Bachman–Turner Overdrive album)|Head On]]''. With these albums, they successfully had additional hit songs with "[[Hey You (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)|Hey You]]", "[[Take It Like a Man (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)|Take It Like a Man]]", and "[[Lookin' Out for No. 1 (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)|Lookin' Out For No. 1]]". In late-1976, during the recording of their sixth studio album ''[[Freeways (album)|Freeways]]'', some disagreements surfaced within the band. Bachman wrote all but one song and sang on every song but two, while some of the other band members felt that they did not have enough good material to record and wanted to delay the release. Upon its release, the album charted at No. 70 in the US, but had no hit singles. Randy Bachman officially quit the band in mid-March 1977. The rest of the band would continue to record and tour until the end of the decade, after Randy agreed to sell the rights to the "BTO" name to the remaining band members.

=== 1979–1981 ===
After his departure from Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Bachman recorded a second solo album titled, ''[[Survivor (Randy Bachman album)|Survivor]]''. This release failed to chart in the US. Following the solo album, he formed a new rock band with bassist/singer Tom Sparks, called [[Ironhorse]]. Ironhorse released their debut self-titled album in 1979. It contained the single "Sweet Lui-Louise", which charted at No. 36 in the US and No. 26 in Canada, and performed well in other parts of Europe including Italy. After the tour for this album, Tom Sparks left the band and was replaced by Frank Ludwig. The band released a second album in 1980 titled, ''Everything Is Grey''. The release contained [[pop rock]] influences with greater use of [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]] than the first album. After BTO broke up in early-1980, Fred Turner and Randy formed a new band called Union, and released only one album titled, ''On Strike'' in 1981.

Later in the article ''From Rags to Riches and Back'', Randy recalled building up a net worth of close to $10 million by 1977, only to go broke within four years, which he attributed to his divorce from his first wife Lorayne Stevenson and the court battles over custody of their children, as well as heavy investment in musical projects that did not become fruitful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-turbulent-history-of-bachman-turner-overdrive|title=From rags to riches and back: The turbulent story of Bachman-Turner Overdrive|website=loudersound.com|date=December 17, 2016|access-date=September 13, 2019}}</ref>

=== 1980s–1990s and reunions ===
Bachman rejoined The Guess Who in 1983 with Burton Cummings and other members of the ''American Woman'' era, for a publicized reunion. The band toured Canada and released a video of live performances. After The Guess Who reunion ended, Bachman rejoined Bachman-Turner Overdrive with Fred Turner, Tim Bachman, and Garry Peterson of The Guess Who taking over on drums. The reformed band released the self-titled ''[[Bachman–Turner Overdrive (1984 album)|Bachman-Turner Overdrive]]'' in 1984, as well as a [[Live Live Live|live album]] in 1986, after which they opened for [[Van Halen]] during the ''[[5150 (album)|5150]]'' tour in 1986. By 1987, Randy left the band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vhnd.com/2014/12/27/randy-bachman-recalls-bto-opening-for-van-halen-on-5150-tour/|title = Randy Bachman Recalls Opening for van Halen on 5150 Tour|date = December 27, 2014}}</ref>

By 1988, Bachman-Turner Overdrive had reformed again, this time with the popular 1974–77 lineup. The band toured together until 1991, when Randy again departed. Randy returned to The Guess Who for a reunion performance in August 1999, in Winnipeg at the end of the [[1999 Pan American Games|XIII Pan Am Games]].<ref name="cbc-news">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/best-ever-pan-am-games-end-1.188857|title='Best ever' Pan Am Games end|date=August 9, 1999|publisher=CBC News|access-date=July 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510130040/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/1999/08/09/panam990809.html|archive-date=May 10, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
Bachman continued as a member of The Guess Who, and played with them on several tours. In 2000, he made a guest appearance on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' in an episode as himself, in a fictionalized reunion with his former Bachman–Turner Overdrive band-mates, [[C. F. Turner]] and [[Robin Bachman]]. Series creator [[Matt Groening]], whose father is originally from Winnipeg, is a fan of the band. During their performance in the episode, [[Homer Simpson]] humorously yells "get to the working overtime part" while they perform "[[Takin' Care of Business (song)|Takin' Care of Business]]".

In 2001, Bachman received an honorary [[Doctor of Music|Doctorate of Music]] from [[Brandon University]] in [[Brandon, Manitoba]], along with the other members of The Guess Who. That year he won three SOCAN Classic Awards.<ref name="Inc.2001">{{cite magazine|author=Larry LeBlanc|title=SOCAN recognized McLaughlin, Klees, Bachman and Cummings|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74|date=December 8, 2001|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=74–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20011223091608/http://chartattack.com:80/DAMN/2001/11/2010.cfm "The Guess Who, Murray McLauchlan Win Big At SOCAN"]}}. ''Chart Attack'', November 20, 2001</ref> In 2005, Bachman was awarded the [[Order of Manitoba]], the highest award in the [[Provinces of Canada|Province]] of [[Manitoba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/story.php?id=173167|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023044230/http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/story.php?id=173167|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2005|title=Portage|work=Portage Daily Graphic}}</ref> He was inducted into [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] for the first time, for his time with The Guess Who in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/2001/the-guess-who|title=Canada's Walk of Fame Inducts the Guess Who|publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame}}</ref> In 2002, The Guess Who were recipients of The [[Governor General's Performing Arts Award]], Canada's foremost distinction for excellence in the performing arts. By July 2003, Bachman left The Guess Who with singer Burton Cummings, only to form a new project called, Bachman Cummings.

In 2004, Bachman helped [[Kalan Porter]] on his debut album, ''[[219 Days]]''. He reportedly suggested that Kalan do a drone on the violin during "In Spite of It All". He was also featured performing a guitar solo near the end of the song, "And We Drive". During this period, Bachman has also released an album of original melodic-jazz songs titled, ''Jazz Thing''.

By the summer of 2005, Bachman began hosting the coast-to-coast radio show ''[[Vinyl Tap]]'' on [[CBC Radio One]]. For the show, he played audio recordings, primarily [[Classic rock]] music, while reminiscing about personal encounters with famous artists and musicians from his 50-year career in rock music. The show ran for 16 seasons with its final episode on Canada Day, July 1, 2021, after it was cancelled by CBC, though Bachman said he planned to take the program to another broadcaster or turn it into a podcast.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Friend|first=David|date=March 27, 2021|title=Randy Bachman to hang up 'Vinyl Tap' mic at CBC Radio on Canada Day|work=CityNews/The Canadian Press|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/03/27/randy-bachman-to-hang-up-vinyl-tap-mic-at-cbc-radio-on-canada-day/|access-date=April 8, 2021}}</ref>

On July 2, 2005, Bachman performed at the Canadian leg of the global [[Live 8]] mega-concert organized by [[Bob Geldof]]. In 2008, he was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5447|title=Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908213224/http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5447|archive-date=September 8, 2009}}</ref>

Bachman continued his career touring with the Randy Bachman Band, as well as the Bachman-Cummings Band. During this time he featured in a theater-styled show called "Every Song Tells A Story", where he performed live and unplugged with his band, often telling the stories behind writing his most famous from the 1960s and 1970s. Bachman and [[Burton Cummings]] performed throughout Canada as Bachman & Cummings in the summer of 2006, while on tour with [[The Carpet Frogs]]. Bachman and Fred Turner completed a new [[Bachman & Turner]] album that was released in September 2010. The album's single titled "Rollin' Along", was released in June 2010 on iTunes. The pair launched a two-year world tour (2010–11) under their Bachman & Turner moniker, beginning at the Sweden Rock Festival in June 2010. Other confirmed dates included the High Voltage Festival in London, UK, in July 2010 and the Manitoba Homecoming Event in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The pair released the next single, "Rock n' Roll Is the Only Way Out" on their official website.<ref name=GibsonPart2 /><ref>Wawzenek, Bryan. [http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/randy-bachman-0611/ "The Gibson Interview with Randy Bachman (Part 1)"] – ''Gibson.com''.</ref>

=== The 2010s ===
Bachman was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame for the second time, now as a solo artist, in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductees/2012/randy-bachman|title=Canada's Walk of Fame Inducts Randy Bachman|publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame}}</ref> In June 2015, he received [[SOCAN]]'s Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.socan.ca/about/awards/2015-socan-awards |title=2015 SOCAN Awards &#124; SOCAN |access-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802041429/http://www.socan.ca/about/awards/2015-socan-awards |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, he released a home video package of his "Every Song Tells A Story" performances, which includes an occasional accompanying symphonic orchestra.

In 2015, he released an album titled ''Heavy Blues'' from his newly-formed band, Bachman. The album was influenced by classic 1960s [[blues rock]] and features musical contributions from other musicians including: [[Neil Young]], [[Joe Bonamassa]], [[Peter Frampton]], [[Robert Randolph and the Family Band|Robert Randolph]], and [[Jeff Healey]]. Later in March 2018, Bachman released a tribute to George Harrison containing versions of the latter's hits. The album featured one original song titled "Between Two Mountains", and also featured [[Walter Trout]] on  the album's version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

Randy and Fred Turner continued to tour as Bachman & Turner through 2018, when Fred amicably retired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/entertainment/randy-bachman-says-bto-bandmate-fred-turner-will-retire-from-touring-1.3838468 |title=Randy Bachman says BTO bandmate Fred Turner will retire from touring |work=CTVNews |date=March 11, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref>

=== The 2020s ===
Bachman appeared in a CBC television broadcast benefit called "[[Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble]]" on April 26, 2020, featuring various Canadian musicians and entertainers.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Canadian stars unite in Stronger Together COVID-19 broadcast benefit {{!}} CBC News|language=en-US|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/strong-together-food-banks-celebrity-fundraiser-covid-19-1.5545452|access-date=October 8, 2020}}</ref> Bachman made a brief one-minute appearance to thank the front-line Canadian workers and proceeded to play a short parody of "Taking Care of Business".<ref>{{Cite web|last=CBC Music|date=April 27, 2020|title=Randy Bachman wants Canada to keep on "Takin' Care of Business" {{!}} Stronger Together {{!}} CBC Music|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kITjBbti08k|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Youtube}}</ref>

== Guitar style ==
[[File:Randy Bachman playing air guitar at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Bachman playing [[air guitar]] at the [[2024 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]
Bachman has stated that his guitar sound was influenced by his early violin studies, saying "when I wanted to play a rock solo, I played like it was violin ... Violin is mostly slow, [[Melody|melodic]] stuff. So my guitar solos tend to be smooth, slow lines."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mixonline.com/news/audio_secrets_randy_bachmans/ |title=Secrets of Randy Bachman's Guitar Sound |publisher=mixonline.com |access-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629142147/http://mixonline.com/news/audio_secrets_randy_bachmans/ |archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref>

He has mentioned in interviews that his guitar influences include [[Lenny Breau]], [[Leslie West]], [[Wes Montgomery]],<ref>{{cite interview |last=Bachman |first=Randy |subject-link=Randy Bachman |title=Bachman-Turner Overdrive: King Biscuit |year=1998}}</ref> George Peterson,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/secrets-randy-bachmans-guitar-sound-375443 | title=Secrets of Randy Bachman's Guitar Sound | work=Mixonline }}</ref> and [[Hank Marvin]].{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

== Personal life ==
Bachman's first marriage was to Lorayne Stevenson (1966 to 1977). With Stevenson, Bachman had six children. His son, [[Tal Bachman]], is a recording artist best known for his 1999 top-20 hit song "[[She's So High]]". His daughter [[Lorelei Bachman]] is also a writer/musician. He then was married to [[Denise McCann]] from 1982 to 2011, and they had one child. They resided on [[Salt Spring Island]], British Columbia, Canada. Bachman and McCann separated in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review of: Randy Bachman: Taking Care of Business|url=http://www.yorku.ca/caml/en/review/29-2/bachman.htm|publisher=CAML Review|access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref>

During his early Guess Who years, Bachman's [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Mormon]] religious beliefs conflicted with the [[Wine, women and song|sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll]] lifestyle of the other band members.<ref name="Bachman bio at CBC.ca" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/jun/14/bachman-cummings-band-stars-have-come-full-circle/ |title=Bachman-Cummings Band: Stars have come full circle |author=Leber, Holly |date=June 14, 2008 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |access-date=April 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011185513/http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/jun/14/bachman-cummings-band-stars-have-come-full-circle/ |archive-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref> His son Tal Bachman later renounced the religion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Randy Bachman|publisher=Brigham Young University|url=https://mormonartsstg.lib.byu.edu/people/randy-bachman/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Staring down his former faith|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=July 24, 2004 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/staring-down-his-former-faith/article18268991/}}</ref>

Bachman has struggled with obesity.<ref name="EZoom2006">{{cite news |title=Randy Bachman: still in overdrive |url=https://www.everythingzoomer.com/style/home-garden/2006/01/01/randy-bachman-still-in-overdrive/ |access-date=30 October 2021 |work=[[Everything Zoomer]] |date=January 1, 2006}}</ref> He originally lost 60 pounds from 380 lb by diet and exercise. He  became aware of the threat his obesity posed to his health during a performance at [[Winnipeg Stadium]] for the [[1999 Pan American Games]], realizing that his weight-induced back and knee pain was making touring impossible.<ref name="EZoom2006"/>

During an extended ground time{{huh|date=November 2024}} following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Bachman began overeating again.<ref name="EZoom2006"/> At his next physical after the tour, his physician told him he was [[morbidly obese]]. He asked, "Doesn't morbid mean death?" The physician told him of the risks he faced as a result of his obesity.<ref name="EZoom2006"/> Bachman remembered that [[Carnie Wilson]], the daughter of his friend [[Brian Wilson]] of [[The Beach Boys]], had successfully lost weight using [[bariatric surgery]], and sought out her surgeon to help him.<ref name="EZoom2006"/> Following surgery, he lost 155 pounds by 2006, reaching his 225 lb target weight.<ref name="EZoom2006"/>

Bachman also had a successful operation on his shoulder in November 2007 to repair a torn [[rotator cuff]], which he has blamed on his decades-long use of heavy guitars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Bachman Interview: Lenny Breau, Canadian Rock and Collecting Guitars |url=https://guitarinternational.com/2010/12/09/randy-bachman-talks-lenny-breau-canadian-rock-and-collecting-guitars/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Guitar International Magazine}}</ref>

Bachman has 26 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Bachman is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://artistsagainstracism.org/artists/|title = Artists – Artists Against Racism}}</ref>

In January 2023, Bachman announced on Twitter that his younger brother [[Robbie Bachman|Robbie]] had died, but he did not specify a cause of death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/89530/20230113/drummer-robbie-bachman-dead-69-what-turner-overdrive-members-cause.htm |title=Drummer Robbie Bachman Dead at 69: What Was Bachman-Turner Overdrive Member's Cause of Death? |author=Angeline Sicily |publisher=Music Times |date=January 13, 2023}}</ref> In the statement, he also paid tribute to [[Jeff Beck]], who died two days earlier, saying "maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer!"

In May 2023, he announced in a tweet the deaths of his brothers Gary and [[Tim Bachman|Tim]] "in quick succession since the pandemic."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/founding-member-of-bto-dies-randy-bachman-confirms-through-manager-1.6377822 |url-status=live |archive-date=Jul 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715020251/https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/founding-member-of-bto-dies-randy-bachman-confirms-through-manager-1.6377822 |title=Tim Bachman, a founding member of BTO, dies |date=May 1, 2023 |website=[[CTV News]] |language=en |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref>

=== Name pronunciation ===
Despite [[German-Canadian]] custom, Bachman says his surname is pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|k|m|ən}} (with a short 'a' sound as in "back"), and he uses this pronunciation when referring to himself. The more common pronunciation of {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɒ|k|m|ən}}, especially on American radio (where "Bach-" is pronounced the same as for [[J.S. Bach]]), became so widespread however, that he did not bother correcting people after BTO became popular.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

== Discography ==
===Solo===
*1970 ''Axe'' – referred to on the cover in the release by RCA in 1975 as simply "Randy Bachman Solo Album"
*1978 ''[[Survivor (Randy Bachman album)|Survivor]]''
*1992 ''Any Road'' – referred to on the cover simply as "Bachman"
*1993 ''Bob's Garage'' – live 5-track mini-album recorded for a radio show in Seattle
*1996 ''Merge''
*1998 ''Songbook''
*2001 ''Every Song Tells A Story''
*2004 ''Jazz Thing''
*2006 ''Bachman-Cummings Songbook'' – a compilation that features tracks from The Guess Who, Burton Cummings, and Bachman–Turner Overdrive
*2006 ''The Thunderbird Trax'' – a compilation of previously unreleased material recorded by Bachman and Cummings, collected from Bachman's tool shed in 1987
*2007 ''Jazz Thing II''
*2007 ''[[Jukebox (Bachman Cummings album)|Jukebox]]''
*2008 ''Takin' Care of Christmas'' – a compilation of Bachman performing classic Christmas songs, with the title track being a reworked version of BTO's "Takin' Care of Business"
*2010 ''[[Bachman & Turner]]'', with former BTO vocalist/bassist [[Fred Turner (musician)|Fred Turner]]
*2014 ''Vinyl Tap Every Song Tells A Story''
*2015 ''Heavy Blues''
*2018 ''By George By Bachman'' – a tribute album to [[George Harrison]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://spillmagazine.com/spill-album-review-randy-bachman-george-bachman/|title=SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RANDY BACHMAN – BY GEORGE BY BACHMAN|date=March 2, 2018|work=The Spill Magazine|access-date=March 15, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

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

Compilation:
* 2008: ''Early Roots'' – Compilation.

=== The Guess Who? ===
* 1966: ''[[It's Time (The Guess Who album)]]'' – This is the only album with Chad Allan and Burton Cummings sharing the vocals.
* 1968: ''[[A Wild Pair]]'' – Side A is dedicated to The Staccatos, while side B features The Guess Who?

=== The Guess Who ===
Studio albums:
* 1969: ''[[Wheatfield Soul]]''
* 1969: ''[[Canned Wheat]]''
* 1970: ''[[American Woman (album)|American Woman]]''
* 1970: ''[[Born in Canada]]''
* 1976: ''[[The Way They Were]]''

Live albums:
* 1984: ''[[Together Again (Guess Who album)|Together Again]]''
* 1984: ''[[Reunion (Guess Who album)|Reunion]]''
* 2000: ''[[Running Back Thru Canada]]''

=== Brave Belt ===
* 1971: ''[[Brave Belt]]''
* 1972: ''[[Brave Belt II]]''

=== Bachman-Turner Overdrive ===
Studio albums:
* 1973: ''[[Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1973 album)|Bachman-Turner Overdrive]]''
* 1973: ''[[Bachman-Turner Overdrive II]]''
* 1974: ''[[Not Fragile]]''
* 1975: ''[[Four Wheel Drive (album)|Four Wheel Drive]]''
* 1975: ''[[Head On (Bachman–Turner Overdrive album)|Head On]]''
* 1977: ''[[Freeways (album)|Freeways]]''
* 1984: ''[[Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1984 album)|Bachman-Turner Overdrive]]''

Live albums:
* 1977: ''B.T.O. Live in Japan''
* 1986: ''Live Live Live''
* 1990: ''All Time Greatest Hits Live'' – Reissue of ''Live Live Live''
* 1994: ''Best Of Bachman-Turner Overdrive Live''
* 1998: ''King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents''
* 2003: ''From the Front Row Live''

Compilations:
* 1976: ''Best of BTO (So Far)''
* 1983: ''You Ain't Seen Nothin 'Yet'''
* 1986: ''BTO's Greatest''
* 1993: ''Anthology ''
* 1998: ''Takin 'Care of Business''
* 2000: ''The Millenium Collection''
* 2001: ''Classic''
* 2005: ''Gold''
* 2008: ''The Definitive Collection''
* 2010: ''Icon''
* 2015: ''Bachman – Turner Overdrive Classic Album Set'' – 8 CD box set
* 2020: ''Essentials''

=== Ironhorse ===
* 1979: ''Ironhorse''
* 1980: ''Everything is Gray''
* 2018: ''Ironhorse / Everything is Gray'' – compilation

=== Union ===
* 1981: ''On Strike''

=== Bachman Cummings ===
* 2006: ''The Thunderbird Trax'' – recorded in 1987
* 2006: ''Bachman Cummings Songbook'' – compilation
* 2007: ''Jukebox''

=== Bachman & Turner ===
* 2010: ''Bachman & Turner''
* 2010: ''Forged In Rock''
* 2010: ''Rolling Along'' – compilation
* 2012: ''[[Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC]]''

=== Collaborations ===
* 1997: ''Ringo Starr And His Third All-Starr Band Volume 1'' by Ringo Starr – Randy on "No Sugar Tonight" and "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet"
* 2000: ''Calgary Rock Awards'' – Various Artists – Randy on 6 songs.
* 2000: ''The Anthology ... So Far'' by Ringo Starr – Randy on "Takin 'Care Of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet"
* 2001: ''The Best Of Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band So Far ...'' by Ringo Starr – Compilation, Randy on "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet"
* 2001: ''The Anthology ... Sampler'' by Ringo Starr – Randy on "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet"
* 2004: ''219 Days'' by Kalan Porter – Randy vocals on "And we drive"
* 2009: ''Songs from the road'' by Jeff Healey – Guitar on "Hoochie Coochie Man"
* 2012: ''Who Are You?'' by Pete Townshend – Randy on guitar, Gretchen Wilson on vocals

== See also ==
*[[Canadian rock]]
*[[Music of Canada]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://randybachman.com}}
* {{discogs artist|Randy Bachman}}
* [https://canadianbands.com/artists/randy-bachman/ Entry at canadianbands.com]
* [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/randy-bachman-emc Entry at thecanadianencyclopedia.ca]
* {{IMDb name|0045485}}

{{The Guess Who}}
{{Bachman–Turner Overdrive}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bachman, Randy}}
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