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Randy Bachman and Fred Turner Reunite After 20 Years Apart

Bachman and TurnerDan Harper

Fred Turner was happily retired, spending his golden years restoring old Corvettes. But when former bandmate Randy Bachman asked him to lay down a vocal track for a song he'd written, Turner remembered something about rock and roll.

He really liked it.

"I said to Randy that people usually retire because they don't like what they're doing," Turner, the former Bachman-Turner Overdrive singer, tells Spinner. "And here I was into something that I had been very lucky all my life to be able to do, and I still enjoyed playing -- and I was retiring. There was something wrong with that."

Now, after 20 years apart, Bachman and Turner have reunited for a tour and a new album, which is due out in September. Because of contractual issues, they can't use their old band name -- or even its shortened acronym BTO -- so they're going by Bachman and Turner. But don't worry -- they're performing all the old BTO songs, including hits like 'Takin' Care of Business,' 'Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' and 'Roll on Down the Highway.'

The two Canadians wouldn't have gotten together were it not for Bachman's continued interest in music. While Turner had walked away from the business, Bachman kept plugging away, recording a solo album featuring well-known guests.

"He had Neil Young on a cut and Jeff Healey," Turner says. "And he had lined up Paul Rodgers to sing a cut."

When Bachman asked Turner to record vocals for a song called 'Rock and Roll Is the Only Way Out,' Turner obliged, adding his growly vocals.

"He got a hold of me and he says, 'This is knocking me out. I think I'm going to put the solo album on the shelf. Have you got any more songs?'" Turner recalls. "And I said, 'Yeah, I've got a lot of songs.'"

The two recorded several tunes and then decided to hit the road again, using Bachman's solo band for support. But first, Turner decided he needed to get into shape -- something neither Bachman nor Turner had ever considered in their husky heyday.

"We were always the big, chunky, husky guys that lived next door and mowed your lawn and took out your garbage," Bachman jokingly says.

But that changed for Bachman, who lost 150 pounds after gastic bypass surgery in 2001. With that inspiration, Turner began exercising and watching calories himself. In two years, he had lost 132 pounds.

"We're healthier now, in better shape and wearing nicer clothes," Bachman says.

On tour, they're not only playing BTO classics but also songs Bachman wrote for psychedelic '60s band the Guess Who. While the guitarist had considerable success with songs like 'American Woman,' 'These Eyes' and 'Undun,' the royalties for BTO were always better, Bachman says.

"The Guess Who, I was with them nine years," he says. "But those were the days when you took a contract because it was a contract, not because it was a good contract, so the Guess Who pretty much got shafted."

When he formed BTO, Bachman made sure to secure a better deal. So now a slimmed-down Bachman and Turner don't need to worry about money. Instead, the duo -- now in their mid-60s -- can focus on returning to the stage with a new, ironically younger, outlook.

"In all of this happening, I realize, this brings life back," Turner says. "I'm having the best time I've had in 35 years because I can do things that I couldn't do then. I can ride horses, swim, do anything that I want to do. And that's what life is all about -- going out to enjoy things. So I'd like to see a lot of people rejuvenate their youth and go back out and have a great time."

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Scott

I thank you for assuming I'm so young. I'm actually 48. I just didn't get left behind in the 70's. Musically I'm a Darwinist. I evolve. I didn't hate BTO, but let's admit they lived on the repetative lyric.

July 03 2010 at 8:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

People will always be going out to hear the soundtrack of their lives. Just because you can't relate to a new act is because it has no relevance to you. But to someone who just got their used Hyundai for a first car, driving around with a new found freedom listining to MGMT, it means something. Or how about the first kiss with that girl you grew up with and hearing Cold War Kids, it sticks with you. So a lot of contemporary bands will have a following thirty years down the road.

July 03 2010 at 8:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

I grew up with The Guess Who and BTO and they rocked. Can't wait for the new Bachman-Turner. Rock 'n roll never dies !

July 03 2010 at 4:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PaCorvetteLover

Would be great to relive them 1960's - 70's tunes by THE GUESS WHO -- BTO --- BRAVEBELT .... Seen these guys like 5 times in Philadelphia over the decades ....
Hope they return ..... Would to hear some of that GREAT ROCK & ROLL AGAIN !!!!

July 03 2010 at 2:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Splash777

The last time Fred & Randy got together they recorded a self titled album in 1984 that was amazing. The band had the underrated Gary Peterson from the Guess Who on drums and the album had some truly classic moments. Songs like Sugaree, Lost In A Fantasy and Toledo were kick ass tunes that should have become major hits. If anyone can locate this album spend the money you won't be disappointed.

July 03 2010 at 2:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Louis

I disagree that people retire because they "don't like what they are doing" That may be be true in some cases, but in my case i retired from the profession I love, teaching, at an early age because i wanted the freedom while iI was in good health to do the things I ccouldn't't do while I was tied down to a structured agenda and a rigid schedule--like spending the winter in Europe, enjoying holidays without worrying about getting back for work, and spending time with my dad before he passed away.

There are also people who are basically forced to retire because of the economy, or because of health issues, or because they were treated unfairly by employers or co-workers.

July 03 2010 at 1:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

Awesome!!!!! I still play the LP's I have. They rock! Glad to hear of a tour.....come to Nashville!!!! Peace.

July 03 2010 at 1:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
olehippi

BTO and The Guess Who were among my top favorites. The band I played with back then covered every hit song both groups recorded.....But hey, what guitar-driven R & R band didn't?

July 03 2010 at 1:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shortiesmom

Is there anyone else tired of all the spam besides me? Instead of rating these jerks highest or lowest, why don't we all just place our mouse over the icon "report" then click OK. Maybe AOL will be a little more vigilant when hundreds of people send them over.

July 03 2010 at 12:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Phil

Two hits, 'Care of Business,' 'Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' and one that got a little bit of radio play... 'Roll on Down the Highway'. I'll pass. Got the cuts on a old cd, why waste the money seeing them 'live'?

July 03 2010 at 12:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply