Tim Bachman dead at 71: Bachman-Turner Overdrive guitarist passes following complications with cancer… three months after brother Robbie
- The musician’s death was confirmed by his son, Paxton Bachman, via a Facebook post on Friday
- Tim and Robbie formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1973 with brother Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, and sold millions of records
- Hits included Takin’ Care Of Business, Hey You and Roll On Down The Highway
Tim Bachman, the guitarist and vocalist of Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive, has died at 71.
The musician’s death was confirmed by his son, Paxton Bachman, via a Facebook post on Friday.
Paxton shared that Tim — who played in BTO from 1973 until 1974, and reunited with the group a decade later — passed following complications with cancer ‘throughout his brain.’
‘My Dad passed this afternoon. Thank You Everyone for the kind words,’ he wrote, adding, ‘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.’
His death comes just three months after his brother – and BTO co-founder – Robbie Bachman died in January at the age of 69.
Sad news: Tim Bachman, the guitarist and vocalist of Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive, has died at 71
Bachman (second from right) pictured with Bachman-Turner Overdrive band members
Paxton also recalled Tim’s his final moments in a Facebook post, writing, ‘I sat with Dad yesterday afternoon and reminisced about some of the good times we had.’
‘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,’ he added.
He also shared a number of photos of his father, including a childhood snap of the two of them on a hike.
The Bachman brothers were Winnipeg natives who had been playing music since childhood.
Tim and his brothers Randy and Robbie formed BTO in 1973 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with Fred Turner ( also known as C.F. Turner).
Robbie first worked with his older brother Randy, a singer, songwriter and guitarist, in the group Brave Belt – which the elder Bachman helped found in the early 1970s after leaving the top-selling act the Guess Who.
Tim was featured on the band’s two albums: Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Bachman–Turner Overdrive II.
They sold millions of records over the next three years with their blend of grinding guitar riffs and catchy melodies.
You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet topped the charts, and the band’s other hits included Takin’ Care Of Business, Hey You and Roll On Down The Highway.
Gone too soon: The musician’s death was confirmed by his son, Paxton Bachman, via a Facebook post on Friday
Complications: Paxton shared that Tim passed following complications with cancer ‘throughout his brain’
Brothers: Tim’s death comes just three months after his brother – and BTO co-founder – Robbie Bachman (center) died in January at the age of 69; Pictured in LA in 1976
‘The pounding beat of BTO has left us’: Robbie’s death was announced by brother Randy Bachman on social media
Hall of fame: Tim and his brothers Randy and Robbie formed BTO in 1973 with C.F. Turner. In 2014 Bachman-Turner Overdrive was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame; Pictured circa 1970
The guitarist was later replaced by Blair Thornton, but he returned to the band for a reunion tour in 1984.
In 2014 Bachman-Turner Overdrive was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In January, Randy Bachman announced the death of his and Tim’s brother Robbie, though he did not cite a cause.
‘The pounding beat of BTO has left us,’ Randy wrote on social media. ‘He was an integral cog in our rock ‘n roll machine and we rocked the world together.’
